Mammoth construction management firms Bechtel and Parsons are the two finalists to be selected for a $600 million contract for rebuilding Iraq. [Link corrected.]
"Bechtel, the largest construction firm in the country and the best known, became a flashpoint for protesters in the first days of the Iraq war. Demonstrators accused privately held Bechtel, which was bidding to rebuild post-conflict Iraq, of war profiteering and worse. Dozens were arrested... Parsons builds roads, airports and industrial parks. It destroys chemical weapons and creates mass transit systems. For the most part, the employee-owned company has avoided the intense criticism that has dogged Bechtel."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Finalists for Rebuilding Down to 2 Firms

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