*US Tax Dollars* ... Iraqi officials 'stole millions'

[kevinmc]

BBC

A former Iraqi minister has said that officials in the former interim government stole about $800m (£425m) meant for buying military equipment.
Former Finance Minister Ali Allawi told the US CBS network that about $1.2bn had been allocated for new weapons. About $400m was spent on outdated equipment and the rest stolen, he said. Mr Allawi said the UK and US had done little to recover the money or catch the suspects, who were "running around the world".

"We have not been given any serious, official support from either the United States or the UK or any of the surrounding Arab countries," he said. "The only explanation I can come up with is that too many people in positions of power and authority in the new Iraq have been, in one way or another, found with their hands inside the cookie jar.

"And if they are brought to trial, it will cast a very disparaging light on those people who had supported them and brought them to this position of power and authority."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6076834.stm

[ixion]

1. ah, but Haliburton's profits are up up up

so all is well. :eyes: