'Grab that cash with both hands and maaaaake a stash!"

Derek Thunder · Post by **Derek Thunder** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:45 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm

A BBC investigation estimates that around $23bn (Â£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.

Judge Radhi al Radhi: "I believe these people are criminals."
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.

Coincidentally, 23 billion dollars is the yearly budget of the Department of Energy, and twice the budget of the Department of the Interior.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:04 pm

...Not just a paltry 23 million, mind you, but 23 billion that they're just claiming an "oops?" And not just an "oops," but a blatantly profitable "oops" for "private security" companies?

Motherfucker, that's some of my tax money you're fucking with, drittsekk cabron!

FickityTwists · Post by **FickityTwists** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:34 pm

That is quite the retirement fund they are sitting on.

Post by **B4UTRUST** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:35 pm

Yours, mine, and everyone elses. And of course nobody will ever be held accountible for it all.

FickityTwists · Post by **FickityTwists** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:41 pm

B4UTRUST wrote:Yours, mine, and everyone elses. And of course nobody will ever be held accountible for it all.

And we wonder why the economy is in the shitter.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:30 pm

WarCrimes, Treason, and Theft.

Think we can make those stick to Bush?

FickityTwists · Post by **FickityTwists** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:39 pm

LadyTevar wrote:WarCrimes, Treason, and Theft.

Think we can make those stick to Bush?

Not officially to his record, but if we use some post-its and some gum maybe.

Post by **B4UTRUST** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:18 pm

Considering Pelosi has said that impeachment is not on the table I doubt anyone is going to bother at all. Depressing? You bet it is. Shocking? Not in the slightest.

FickityTwists · Post by **FickityTwists** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:27 pm

B4UTRUST wrote:Considering Pelosi has said that impeachment is not on the table I doubt anyone is going to bother at all. Depressing? You bet it is. Shocking? Not in the slightest.

Ahh, but with luck 25 years or so from now he will be put into history with simular negative war facts as other evils come to pass. Plus he will have this whole economy down fall on his shoulders.

If anyone 10 years from now can name one good thing Bush put into action that can outweigh all the shit we are wading through now, I personally will give them a gift basket.

* Edited twice because the negative didnt take the first time.

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