The company, Iraqna, is owned by the Egypt-based Orascom Telecom, which also owns a U.S. subsidiary, Contrack International of Arlington, Va. Contrack announced this week it was pulling out of a $325 million transport reconstruction project based on fears for the safety of employees. That prompted Orascom Chairman Naguib Sawiris to warn all of the companys subsidiaries, including Iraqna, could pull out. Im not into the business of putting the lives of my people in danger, Sawiris said. If (the violence) goes on, they wont find anyone willing to work in Iraq. He also disputed claims the company provided spotty service in Baghdad, citing Iraqi and U.S. security measures. All the armored vehicles of the U.S. army are using jamming equipment because they are worried that bombs could be detonated by mobile phone, he said.
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