Oh, We Also Want to Sell You a Bridge

Folks at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce were bemused recently by a faxed form letter from Al-Ssined Commercial Agencies’ export-import bureau in Baghdad.

“We are pleased to address your goodselves after regretable (sic) interruption due to Gulf events, with our hope to renew trade relations for our mutual benefit,” the letter begins.

It goes on to suggest that, since Iraq “granted your friendly country long-term loans at simple interest” that have not yet been settled, how about Iraq importing the goods directly and “your government” paying the exporters directly? Then the amount could be deducted from what “your country owes to Iraq.”

Ever get the feeling that Iraq is still unclear on the concept?