President Bush continued Thursday to back a Pentagon decision that bars firms from any country that did not back the invasion of Iraq to bid on reconstruction contracts despite criticism from the international community and even some Congressional Republicans. “It’s very simple,” Bush told reporters Thursday. “Our people risked their lives. Friendly coalition folks risked their lives, and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that, and that’s what the US taxpayers expect.” The list of countries that are barred from receiving contracts include France, Germany, Russia, India and Canada. When told Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s said that “international law must apply here,” Bush responded, “International law? I better call my lawyer. I don’t know what you’re talking about, about international law.”