Bush Will Veto Defense Bill over Iraqi Lawsuit Provision, Spokesman Says

[marmar]

from Bloomberg:



Bush Will Veto Defense Policy Measure, Spokesman Says (Update2)

By Lorraine Woellert and Roger Runningen

Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush will veto a measure giving pay increases to U.S. troops because it has a provision that would open up the Iraqi government to lawsuits for crimes committed under Saddam Hussein, the administration said.

The provision ``would potentially tie up billions of dollars in Iraqi assets in lawsuits for crimes committed in the prior regime,'' White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said. ``It is not in the interest of the U.S. or Iraq.''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada condemned Bush's veto of the $696 billion defense policy measure. The Democratic leaders noted that the bill includes ``urgent national security priorities,'' a 3.5 percent pay raise for U.S. troops and improved veterans' health care.

``It is unfortunate that the president will not sign this critical legislation,'' they said in a statement.

Stanzel said all but 3 percent of the 3.5 percent military pay increase is already authorized and will take effect Jan. 1. When Congress passes a new defense measure, he said, Bush will seek to make the remainder of the increase retroactive to Jan. 1. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a6pZn7kM0Aek&refer=home

[HeraldSquare212]

1. This just confirms

that he loves the Iraqui govt more than US troops.