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.
I remember reading about this when it came out, and almost being unable to believe it.
ReplyDeleteIs it known if the Iraqi people are expected to pay this back?
Yet more US supported debt from money the Iraqi people never saw...
My guess is there is a whole lot more to this than "some former Iraqi government ministers stole it." I wouldn't be at all surprised if some of the Occupiers had their snouts deep in this one.
ReplyDeletedeep in the trough of their own money? one would surely hope so.
ReplyDeleteEr, no, deep in the trough of U.S. taxpayers money.
ReplyDeleteInsert tumbling weed here.
ReplyDelete