Iraq War misappropriations

Iraq War misappropriations refers to allegations that billions of dollars have not been properly accounted for or misappropriated during the Iraq War from funds released by the United States Congress for programmes, including the re-construction and re-building of Iraq, after the war. United States Department of Justice/White House issued gagging orders are preventing further inquiry into the allegations.

Official audits and investigations

The United States Department of Justice has 900 cases of alleged fraud by contractors to investigate.http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=112255&d=30&m=7&y=2008] . The Defense Contract Audit Agency similarly has uncovered $10 billion in questionable Iraq contracts and a US audit found that the occupation authority lost track reconstruction funds totalling nearly $9 billion. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/feb/01/iraq.suzannegoldenberg Audit reveals abuse of $9bn works funds]

Henry Waxman, Chairman of the United States House of Representatives committee on oversight and government reform, said: "The money that's gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, it's egregious. It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history." [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm "BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions"] , Jane Corbin, BBC News, 10 June 2008]

Media investigations

Vanity Fair

In an October 2007 article, two Vanity Fair authors examined the fate of $12 billion in U.S. currency which was transported from the Federal Reserve to Baghdad in April 2003 and June 2004, where it was dispensed by the Coalition Provisional Authority. They concluded that of this sum "at least $9 billion has gone missing". [Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steel: [http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/10/iraq_billions200710 Billions over Baghdad] . Vanity Fair, October 2007]

Panorama/BBC

BBC television program "Panorama" (9 June 2008) investigated claims that "as much as $23bn (£11.75bn) may have been lost, stolen or not properly accounted for in Iraq. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/7438372.stm "Daylight Robbery"] , BBC, 9 June 2008] Panorama used US and Iraqi government sources to research how much some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding.

Dispatches

"Dispatches: Iraq's Missing Billions", produced by Guardian Films, was broadcast on United Kingdom's Channel 4 at 8 p.m. on March 20 2006.

Current government expenditure

$12 billion or more per month is currently being spent in Iraq with little accountability or oversight.

Immunization of contractors and gagging orders

It has been alleged that there may also have been some "immunized foreign contractors" involved in this scandal [http://rinf.com/alt-news/war-terrorism/bush-reveals-true-reason-for-war-in-push-for-iraqi-agreement/4204/] . US gagging orders are currently preventing discussion of the allegations. The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies [http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2008/06/23-billion-gag.html] .

Missing UN funds

At the start of the Iraq war, the United Nations awarded $23 billion of Iraq money to the US-coalition to re-develop Iraq. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/mar/20/usa.iraq "'Iraq was awash in cash. We played football with bricks of $100 bills'"] , Callum Macrae and Ali Fadhil, "The Guardian", 20 March 2006] Around $12 billion was flown to Iraq in cash, in $100 notes, because of the collapse of the banking system.

References

ee also

* Iraq War
* White House Iraq-War forgery allegations

External links

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/12/washington/12contractors.html?em Use of Iraq Contractors Costs Billions, Report Says - New York Times] - The United States this year will have spent $100 billion on contractors in Iraq since the invasion in 2003, a milestone that reflects the Bush administration’s unprecedented level of dependence on private firms for help in the war, according to a government report to be released Tuesday.
* [http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=111619&d=8&m=7&y=2008 Iraq a bottomless cash pit]
* [http://talkradionews.com/2008/07/not-up-to-par-contracting-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/ Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan]
* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11148258/ Former U.S. official admits to kickbacks in Iraq]
* [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=awLWws6g.cwA&refer=us Parsons, Military Wasted Millions in Iraq, Inspector Bowen Says]
* [http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/30/iraq.audit/ CNN.com - Audit: U.S. lost track of $9 billion in Iraq funds]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/jul/07/iraq.features11 So, Mr Bremer, where did all the money go?]
* [http://www.counterpunch.org/lindorff06072006.html The case of the Missing $21 Billion]