UN Told of Weaknesses in U.S. Handling of Iraqi Oil

[Desperadoe]

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. handling of Iraq's oil money after the defeat of Saddam Hussein was marked by weaknesses including problems tracking oil production and cash, a watchdog told the U.N. Security Council on Friday, diplomats said.

The criticisms follow accusations by U.S. policymakers that the United Nations mismanaged a separate oil-for-food program for Iraq under Saddam. "These shortcomings (in the U.S. management) have to be kept in mind when we judge the management of other programs such as oil-for-food," said one council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

U.N. Controller Jean-Pierre Halbwachs, who heads the International Advisory and Monitoring Board set up to oversee U.S. management of Iraqi oil, briefed the Security Council on the issue in a closed-door meeting.

He discussed problems tracking how much oil was produced and how the proceeds were spent, and how noncompetitive contracts were awarded to Halliburton Co., formerly led by Vice President Dick Cheney, the envoys said. Several said he repeatedly used the term "weaknesses" to characterize problems with the U.S. management.<snip>

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-01-14T231950Z_01_N14662584_RTRIDST_0_INTERNATIONAL-IRAQ-OIL-WATCHDOG-DC.XML

[LynnTheDem]

1. Let's not forget WHO had TOTAL VETO POWER over ALL oil sales and ALL

oil purchases in the OFFP...UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

PSSST America, the crooks in office are robbing you blind!

[Just Me]

8. The neoCONimperialists diverted from their own corruption,...

,...by pointing the finger at the UN when *hilarious* the U.S. neoCONimperialists were part of the corrupt scheme undermining the UN.

If you've ever studied anything about domestic abuse (which is rampant in this country), you will see the exact same pattern of behavior.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. kick

[struggle4progress]

6. and again

:kick:

[Cocoa]

3. Fox News will have to change its graphic

it currently has a UN logo with a big scary "SCANDAL" stamped over it.

They'll have to work a US flag into the picture.

[TahitiNut]

4. When pigs fly.

:eyes:

[struggle4progress]

5. kick for a real scandal involving Iraq oil money

[VegasWolf]

7. It's hard, hard, hard work tracking all that money. n/t

[Just Me]

9. Who really profitted?

A neoCONimperialist scam swept under the rug.

[Bozvotros]

10. They are stealing that oil

Which is why they aren't tracking it. The corruption, incompetence and sheer thuggery of these ass clowns should be all over the news every day, instead of candy-assed interviews with Babawa Wawa.

[Just Me]

11. "Privatization" really means "profitteering" off the weak & oppressed.n/t