"If America is going to become an arrogant nation, this is a good way to begin," Feinstein

WASHINGTON, April 4 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The U.S. House of Representatives (Congress) late Thursday, April 3, passed a supplementary budget amendment excluding France, Germany, Russia and Syria from taking part in U.S.-funded reconstruction bids in Iraq, because they opposed the U.S.-led invasion.

Proposed by Minnesota congressman Mark Kennedy, a Republican unrelated to the famous Kennedy clan, and passed by show of hands, the measure would even bar access by the four countries to information on reconstruction bids in Iraq, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The Kennedy amendment stipulated "that none of the funds made available in the bill for reconstruction efforts in Iraq may be used to procure goods or services from any entity that includes information on a response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) that indicates that such entity is organized under the laws of France, Germany, the Russian Federation, or Syria."

A similar amendment from Washington state congressman George Nethercutt, also Republican, that included China was voted down.

"This amendment sends a signal to our allies that we appreciate those who support us in our time of need and remember those that have sought to thwart coalition efforts to defeat Saddam Hussein's regime," Nethercutt said of his measure.

"The coalition of the unwilling should not participate in reconstruction with U.S. tax dollars," he added.

80 Billion Dollars More

Republican Senator John Ensign (Nevada)m, however, failed to withdraw his amendment - despite objections from the White House - arguing that it would worsen relations with Germany and France, both of whom opposed the U.S.-led Iraq invasion in the United Nations. Several opposition Democratic senators also opposed the Ensign measure.

"This amendment is very enormously destructive," said Senator Diane Feinstein of California.

"If America is going to become an arrogant nation, this is a good way to begin," she added.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on Thursday sent a letter to House Majority Leader, Republican Dennis Hastert, warning him the Ensign amendment would place the bulk of the cost of providing humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Iraq on U.S. shoulders, creating great economic and political hardships for the country.

The U.S. Senate late Thursday unanimously passed a supplemental budget amendment authorizing 78.7 billion dollars in funding to cover the costs of war in Iraq and the start of reconstruction.

The Congress granted a request from President George W. Bush for some 74.7 billion dollars and tacked on additional items including a 3.5 billion rescue package for the struggling aviation transport sector to help absorb some of the losses suffered by airlines because of the war. The vote passed 93-0.

The House of Representatives passed a similar measure that includes 2.2 billion dollars for the airlines. The White House had opposed the support.

The Kennedy amendment was included in the supplemental budget amendment, passed by the House by a 414-12 vote.

The Senate late Thursday also passed its own version of the supplemental budget amendment totaling 78.7 billion dollars.

The two versions will have to be reconciled and approved again by each body before being sent to the White House to be signed by U.S. President George W. Bush.

The matter could become a mute point during the conference discussions later since the Senate rejected the same measure so it is unlikely to be included in the compromise version.