Europe lobbies Bush on tankers

Contract not his decision, he tells leaders WASHINGTON – European leaders personally lobbied President Bush to favor their aerospace consortium over Boeing in the fierce competition for the $35 billion aerial refueling tanker contract. The White House confirmed Wednesday that British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel talked to Bush about the tanker deal. “All three leaders at various times raised the issue,” White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. “The president told all three the same thing: He has nothing to do with the contracting process, and the White House has nothing to do with the contracting process.” Bush told them the decision – which will be rebid this year – is up to the Pentagon, Johndroe added. Johndroe said he wasn’t sure at what meetings the... [read full story]