Iraq: France's Alstom signs high-speed rail line deal

[Judi Lynn]

Source: BBC News

24 June 2011 Last updated at 11:19 ET
Iraq: France's Alstom signs high-speed rail line deal

French engineering giant Alstom has signed a preliminary deal to build a high-speed rail line linking Basra and Baghdad in Iraq.

An Alstom spokesman confirmed to the BBC it had signed a "memorandum of understanding" with Iraqi officials as a first step in the project.

The line would also connect with the cities of Karbala and Najaf.

The company will hold exclusive talks with Iraqi officials for 12 months to try to strike a final agreement.



Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13909905

[SkyDaddy7]

1. So, Iraq could be on its way to beat the US in high speed rail?

If they can build it faster than it is blown up.

[Xithras]

2. Given yesterdays events

You couldn't pay me enough to ride that thing. I'm glad their getting it, but this is a country where insurgents ALREADY have years of experience planting bombs in the paths of things they want to blow up. I can't imagine what a track bomb would do to a train at 200+ MPH.

[SkyDaddy7]

3. I know I agree with you...

This is like a Xmas present to Al Qaeda in Iraq & other "terrorist" "insurgents" or whatever group is into killing scores of innocent people.

[jpak]

5. +1

yup

[miyazaki]

4. The Fatwa Express? n/t