Iraq - Russian, Chinese and French Against Iraq War

Because they were bribed.

By far the biggest beneficiaries of Saddam-era contracts were Russian, Chinese and French firms. The UN said this was the result of an Iraqi policy to bribe countries in the hope of swinging their votes in the UN Security Council.

"Iraqi leaders gave preferential treatment to France, Russia and China because these countries were permanent members of the Security Council and perceived to be more favourable to the lifting of sanctions," the authors said.

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