Stunning news that seems to be reported in the Russian media but not our own. Steve Gilbert of Sweetness & Light has the scoop: 

From a gleeful Kommersant Moscow:

Russia will proceed with executing electricity contracts in Iraq. The RF Energy Minister Sergei Shmatkov and Iraq's Minister of Electricity Karim Wahid Hasan deliberated on potential cooperation yesterday. The first project could be rebuilding the Harta Thermal Plant by Tekhnopromexport. Russia's chances to benefit from over $10 billion that Iraq intends to inject into its electricity facilities appear rather solid now.

Sergei Shmatko met with his Iraqi counterpart yesterday, August 18, 2008. The highlight was the rebuilding project for Harta Thermal Plant executed by Russia's Tekhnopromexport. The company won the tender far back in 1990s, but the war in Iraq prevented it from beginning the work.

Er, why are we rewarding the selfsame Russians who have armed our enemies in Iraq?

The company won the tender far back in 1990s, but the war in Iraq prevented it from beginning the work.

So this is a contract dating back to when Russia was doing all it could to help Saddam Hussein.

Why should the current government honor it?