will not have the same sunk costs in the agreement as President Bush. "If I may be characteristically blunt, the next American president will not have the same sunk costs in the US-India civil nuclear agreement that this president (George W Bush) and the top of the administration has," Blackwill said. "India will pay a substantial price in its future energy policy, and its lack of civil nuclear assistance from the outside world." Blackwill added that the next US President would not go back to lecturing India about its nuclear program. "They (Indians) did not have much tolerance before, and they have none now. That would be a substantial irritant in the relationship if it were to occur," said Blackwill. Contract with Ayad Allawi On August 28, 2007, Newsweek reported that Blackwill was handling the $300,000 lobbying contract at Barbour Griffith & Rogers International to destabilize Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and replace him with the firm's new client, Ayad Allawi. The contract, filed with the Justice Department, states that "B.G.R. will provide strategic counsel and representation for and on behalf of Dr. Ayad Allawi before the U.S. government, Congress, media and others." Allawi disclosed that Blackwill —whom he described as a "dear friend" —had raised the idea that the former Iraqi prime minister hire his firm. "He contacted me", Allawi said. "We were having lunch ... He spoke to me and he said ... there is a vacuum in Washington, and we will be able to help and assist. We know your views. We know the views of your people and we are ready to help in getting your message across to the United States." Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq The Regional Government has paid Barbour Griffith & Rogers $1.4 million since 2005. "We have had a long-term relationship with the firm", said Qubad Talabani, the Washington representative of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. Kurdistan is pushing for Washington's support of its oil contracts with foreign companies. Thaksin Shinawatra Blackwill represents Thaksin Shinawatra. Shinawatra was a billionaire communications tycoon who became prime minister of Thailand and was ousted in a coup in 2006. On the evening of 19 September 2006, while Thaksin was visiting New York City, to attend a United Nations summit and to speak at the Council on Foreign Relations, the army took control of Bangkok. Other clients On October 29, 2007, The New York