BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions

[BrAinPaiNt]

Linky Linky something smells Stinky (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7444083.stm)

A BBC investigation estimates that around $23bn (£11.75bn) may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.

For the first time, the extent to which some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding has been researched by the BBC's Panorama using US and Iraqi government sources.

A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.

The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.

War profiteering

While George Bush remains in the White House, it is unlikely the gagging orders will be lifted.

To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.

The president's Democrat opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq.

Henry Waxman who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said: "The money that's gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, its egregious.

"It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."

In the run-up to the invasion one of the most senior officials in charge of procurement in the Pentagon objected to a contract potentially worth seven billion that was given to Halliburton, a Texan company, which used to be run by Dick Cheney before he became vice-president.

Unusually only Halliburton got to bid - and won.

Missing billions

The search for the missing billions also led the programme to a house in Acton in West London where Hazem Shalaan lived until he was appointed to the new Iraqi government as minister of defence in 2004.

He and his associates siphoned an estimated $1.2 billion out of the ministry.

They bought old military equipment from Poland but claimed for top class weapons.

Meanwhile they diverted money into their own accounts.

Judge Radhi al-Radhi of Iraq's Commission for Public Integrity investigated.

He said: "I believe these people are criminals.

"They failed to rebuild the Ministry of Defence , and as a result the violence and the bloodshed went on and on - the murder of Iraqis and foreigners continues and they bear responsibility."

Mr Shalaan was sentenced to two jail terms but he fled the country.

He said he was innocent and that it was all a plot against him by pro-Iranian MPs in the government.

There is an Interpol arrest out for him but he is on the run - using a private jet to move around the globe.

He stills owns commercial properties in the Marble Arch area of London.

[dacarmelking210]

It's true. Have you seen the stories about the missing Iraqi oil? Apparently, between 100,000 and 300,000 barrels of oil per day VANISH into thin air in Iraq. After reading about how Exxon Mobile has had record profits this past year, it's kind of hard not to speculate about who's to blame...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/12/world/middleeast/12oil.html

[BrAinPaiNt]

It's true. Have you seen the stories about the missing Iraqi oil? Apparently, between 100,000 and 300,000 barrels of oil per day VANISH into thin air in Iraq. After reading about how Exxon Mobile has had record profits this past year, it's kind of hard not to speculate about who's to blame...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/12/world/middleeast/12oil.html

I don't know anything about missing oil. But I was thinking Rupert Murdoch said something along the lines of $20 a barrel oil as something that would happen as a result of the war.

[Heisenberg]

I don't know anything about missing oil. But I was thinking Rupert Murdoch said something along the lines of $20 a barrel oil as something that would happen as a result of the war.

We were also told that the war would be paid for by Iraqi oil at some point.

[Cajuncowboy]

The story starts with a US gagging order and then says it's unlikely to be lifted by Bush. Mentions the Democrats at the bastions of good will in this by "Keeping the pressure up." Yeah, right.

None of this is laid at any American companies feet as noted but Haliburton is brought in. They say "ONLY Haliburton could bid on it." The problem is that under the CLinton administration, Haliburton was given a multi year contract on this type of work. Seeing as how there are only a hand full of companies in the WHOLE WORLD who does what Haliburton does on the scale in which they do it, it makes sense.

But the whole world wants to act indignant over it.

[BrAinPaiNt]

We were also told that the war would be paid for by Iraqi oil at some point.

That was wolfowitz that made that claim. However I have read that Rupert Murdoch was telling people we could expect the $20 barrel of oil line.

To be truthful it is kind of odd that we helped out Kuwait, now Iraq yet have seen no OIL rewards for it as far as the end consumer goes.

[BrAinPaiNt]

The story starts with a US gagging order and then says it's unlikely to be lifted by Bush. Mentions the Democrats at the bastions of good will in this by "Keeping the pressure up." Yeah, right.

None of this is laid at any American companies feet as noted but Haliburton is brought in. They say "ONLY Haliburton could bid on it." The problem is that under the CLinton administration, Haliburton was given a multi year contract on this type of work. Seeing as how there are only a hand full of companies in the WHOLE WORLD who does what Haliburton does on the scale in which they do it, it makes sense.

But the whole world wants to act indignant over it.

The end result for me is that the missing money is bad for the troops, the iraqis and the work we are trying to do over there.

I say this in a manner that is not blaming bush as some would think.

We have had cases besides the money issue as well.

We have had the problems with blackwater, thing about black water that irks me is...if the US soldier does something he can be sent to prison under UCMJ, blackwater employees have basically been given immunity no matter what htey do.

We have had problems where some soldiers got sick because the corp in charge of water purification was not doing their jobs. We had cases of soldiers DYING because they were electrocuted in the showers because of contractors screwing up things. We had a case of that one girl being raped and then held against her will.

We currently have as many, if not more, contractors over there as we do soldiers. That is kind of scary in a way IMO.

It is not just about money being lost. It is not just about getting things correct for reconstruction for the civilian iraqis. It also deals with our troops and in some cases other contract workers.

It would seem as some of these contractors are not having any oversight, punishment for crimes, or accountability for their actions.

[Cajuncowboy]

The end result for me is that the missing money is bad for the troops, the iraqis and the work we are trying to do over there.

I say this in a manner that is not blaming bush as some would think.

We have had cases besides the money issue as well.

We have had the problems with blackwater, thing about black water that irks me is...if the US soldier does something he can be sent to prison under UCMJ, blackwater employees have basically been given immunity no matter what htey do.

We have had problems where some soldiers got sick because the corp in charge of water purification was not doing their jobs. We had cases of soldiers DYING because they were electrocuted in the showers because of contractors screwing up things. We had a case of that one girl being raped and then held against her will.

We currently have as many, if not more, contractors over there as we do soldiers. That is kind of scary in a way IMO.

It is not just about money being lost. It is not just about getting things correct for reconstruction for the civilian iraqis. It also deals with our troops and in some cases other contract workers.

It would seem as some of these contractors are not having any oversight, punishment for crimes, or accountability for their actions.

I do agree with a lot of this. However, it's not just American contractors and the Iraqi government is still responsible for Civil law in their country.

[burmafrd]

The whole problem with contractors has been around for the last 30 years. Iraq is just a whole lot more money involved. Lack of oversight, accountability, etc is something that the DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS put in place in the 70s. THEY are the ones that wanted this. Supported by most Republican presidents in various strengths. And the republican congress did nothing to change it. So Brain take a look in the mirror if you want to blame people since everyone in Washington just about qualifies.

[BrAinPaiNt]

The whole problem with contractors has been around for the last 30 years. Iraq is just a whole lot more money involved. Lack of oversight, accountability, etc is something that the DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS put in place in the 70s. THEY are the ones that wanted this. Supported by most Republican presidents in various strengths. And the republican congress did nothing to change it. So Brain take a look in the mirror if you want to blame people since everyone in Washington just about qualifies.

Sometimes you need to read a bit better.

I quote myself in my post...

I say this in a manner that is not blaming bush as some would think.

:cool:

[big dog cowboy]

It would seem as some of these contractors are not having any oversight, punishment for crimes, or accountability for their actions.
To take that another step, those in our government responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds to contractors are in the same boat.

[burmafrd]

Brain I meant it when I said look in the mirror. You voted for some of the people who contributed to this mess. So did I and anyone else who has voted in the last 30 years.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Brain I meant it when I said look in the mirror. You voted for some of the people who contributed to this mess. So did I and anyone else who has voted in the last 30 years.

Well of course we did. If we voted at all we will wind up voting for someone with questionable actions. They are politicians after all.

[burmafrd]

the worst of it is all the really sad cases that keep getting re eelected to congress like McKinny and Maxine Waters and the like.

[silverbear]

The whole problem with contractors has been around for the last 30 years.

And how do you make your living these days, over in Kuwait??

[SuspectCorner]

And how do you make your living these days, over in Kuwait??

Bingo. But in his defense I've actually seen him criticize the wartime contracting industry in a prior post about a month ago.

It's hard for me to blame somebody for accepting an offer from an employer that allows them to provide more for their family by plying their trade overseas.

The problem is with the top of the contracting foodchain - and particularly with their Bush administration bedfellows. This is where the real thievery takes place.

[burmafrd]

I work for the US Army by the way. NOT a contractor.

[silverbear]

I work for the US Army by the way. NOT a contractor.


Which means you're a civilian making a living-- I presume, a pretty nice living-- off of this war...

Which explains your rabid fondness for this war, and its architects, of course...