Fighting corruption in Iraq

Last month, we learned that corrupt officials in the US-appointed Iraqi Interim Government had pulled off one of the largest thefts in history, embezzling almost the entire military procurement budget - one billion US dollars all up - and in the process crippling the Iraqi military and setting back the date when American forces could leave. Now, the Iraqi government finally seems to be doing something about it. Arrest warrants have been issued for five former government ministers - at least one of whom is serving as a representative in the interim Parliament - as well as 22 other former officials. Almost all are believed to have fled the country, and the Iraqi government is seeking the assistance of Interpol in tracking them down. Hopefully they'll succeed; while I may not like what is going on in Iraq, or the nature of the present government, Iraqi money should at least be spent on the Iraqi people, not stolen by corrupt leaders.