PRESS RELEASE Voices UK [1]
22nd October 2003
Contact: 0845 458 2564 or 0794 783 9992

Corporate reps offered a ‘slice’ of Iraq
Giant Iraq-shaped cake greets delegates to ‘Reconstructing Iraq’ business conference.

Monday 27th, from 8.30am, outside 1 Whitehall Place: Business men and women attending a conference entitled ‘Reconstructing Iraq’ [2] will be offered slices from a giant Iraq-shaped cake this morning in a protest over the continuing ‘corporate invasion’ of Iraq. Protestors representing the corporations McDonalds, Olive Security and Bechtel, amongst others, will also bid for contracts in a mock auction outside the conference.

The Conference takes place in the wake of the recent announcement by the US Government of new laws permitting all of Iraq’s industries and services (other than oil, gas and minerals) to be sold off to foreign companies [3] and allegations by a US Congressman that ‘waste and gold-plating’ of contracts are ‘enriching [corporations such as] Halliburton and Bechtel while … actually holding back the pace of reconstruction in Iraq’ [4].

Inside the conference attendees will be treated to talks by representatives from the US Department of Commerce and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as well as talks on the ‘UK industry/Army link’, ‘the potential legal obstacles to trade’, ‘removing currency from the county’, and ‘claiming ownership of Iraqi oil’[B]. Business Consultants Ernst and Young, the private security firm Olive Security [E] and HSBC are amongst the corporations sponsoring the event and leading sessions.

A spokesperson for the protestors, Gareth Evans, said ‘After thirteen years of war and economic sanctions Iraqis need a reconstruction process that they control and which is centred on their needs. What we are seeing is war-profiteering on a grand scale and cronyism. Not only are there concerns about how much ordinary Iraqis will benefit but it is actually delaying the reconstruction of the country with potentially catastrophic consequences. It is outrageous that the US and Britain, having illegally invaded and occupied Iraq, are now forcing their free-market ideology on the country whilst selling its assets off in what can only be described as a fire-sale. The whole process is completely undemocratic.’

Photo opportunities: Delegates will be offered cake from 8.30am onwards.
There will be a special photo opportunity with the cake at 9.45am and the mock auction and other activities will take place until 12.30pm
For more information contact 0845 458 2564 or 0794 783 9992

NOTES
[1] Voices UK is a group campaigning in solidarity with the people of Iraq. Between Feb. 1998 and May 2002 Voices UK sent 11 sanctions-breaking delegations to Iraq to protest the grave humanitarian impact on ordinary Iraqis of UN economic sanctions.
[2] For more information about the conference see
[3] See ‘Foreign firms to bid in huge Iraqi sale’, Guardian, 22 September.
[4] See ‘Spending on Iraq Sets Off Gold Rush’, Washington Post, 9th October.
[E] Olive Security is a British private security firm that worked in Iraq earlier this year providing security for Bechtel. Their web-site boasts that ‘All our consultants are former members of United Kingdom Special Forces.’

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