Reply #5: British firms enjoy billion-pound Iraq war dividend [View All]

LONDON (AFP) - British businesses have profited by at least 1.1 billion pounds (1.9 billion dollars) since coalition forces toppled

Saddam Hussein three years ago, The Independent newspaper reported.

Thanks to the "war dividend" 61 British companies have benefited from contracts and investments in

Iraq, according to a joint investigation by independent watchdog Corporate Watch and The Independent.

The amount involved could be the tip of the iceberg, according to the study, because many companies prefer to keep their Iraq relationship secret.

The companies involved include private security services firms, banks, PR consultancies, urban planning consortiums, oil companies, architects' offices and energy advisory bodies, said the paper which has always opposed the war in Iraq.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060313/wl_mideast_afp/britainiraqbusiness