neceser
04.12.03, 19:53
Russian taxi cabs headed for Iraq
Russian cars aren't known for their good looks
Russian-made taxis will soon be running alongside tanks and armoured
vehicles on the streets of Iraq.
An order for 5,000 Volga cars was placed before the US invaded in March and
the first batch of 300 vehicles is just being delivered.
The Volga is produced by Russia's Gaz and was built to survive harsh winters
and rough handling.
Iraq will reportedly also be importing another 11,000 cars, including US
models, Nissans and Peugeots.
Reward
Simple, black and more 70s-style than Formula 1, the Volgas have been
reinforced for Iraq's unpredictable roads.
There are very few, if any, of the cars already in Iraq.
The trade embargo placed on the country during the past decade meant there
was limited access to everything from life-saving drugs to chocolate.
The country's current fleet of taxis consists of 1980s Volkswagens and
Nissans imported three years ago.
The contract with Gaz was seen by analysts as rewarding Russia for opposing
UN sanctions on Iraq.
There had been some doubt whether contracts with the Saddam Hussein
government would be honoured by the present authorities in Iraq.
Contractors had feared that business would be passed to American and
coalition firms.
Military
"We are sticking to past agreements but starting to include American cars in
our imports," Reuters quoted an official at Iraq's General Vehicle Agency as
saying.
"Our team is at the Jordanian port of Aqaba receiving the first 300 Volgas."
Nagroda z asprzeciw rosyjski.
The US Government has said it will spend $18.6bn on rebuilding Iraq.
While most of that money will finance the US military presence, some of it
is expected to filter down to ordinary Iraqis, boosting demand for consumer
goods, analysts said
