Randall Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Why haven't I heard this from our press? BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions By Jane Corbin BBC News 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. Panorama: Daylight Robbery will be on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday 10 June 2008. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/midd...ast/7444083.stm Published: 2008/06/10 17:25:48 GMT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Coming soon to a theater near you. Is Harrison Ford booked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 You know what's a waste of money? National Parks. Man, that waste of my tax dollars to preserve good real-estate is just shameful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 billions ? whew i thought you meant trillions Billions is peanuts for this administration ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 (edited) National Parks are the lifeline of our culture and economy ...do you know how many people spend good money to go to Yosemite park to watch and hopefully see some dirty scalding water to shoot up from the ground ? alot of them thats how many Edited June 11, 2008 by isleseeya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 What's scary is that some people think that way. I stole that line from Perch, he actually said that National Parks were a waste of tax dollars... during the Iraq war. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 So if he was in charge, we'd have a Wal-Mart on Mt. Evans? And we'd invade impotent nations on trumped up reasons all over the world until the dollar was worth less than the peso and all domestic programs were eliminated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffraff Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 It'll be interesting to see how history books portray today's President and economic effects. I have my opinion, I just wonder if the future learners of America will have the same one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 3 Trillions dollars Do I win? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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