Auditor: Iraqi govt ducks reconstruction (refuses to take control of over 2,000 projects)

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

Auditor: Iraqi govt ducks reconstruction
By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi government has refused to take control of more than 2,000 U.S.-funded reconstruction projects, a move that could jeopardize the country's credit line and cost American taxpayers, according to a report by an American watchdog agency.

The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction said the government here initially agreed to take over the projects but the transfers stalled about a month after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki took office in May 2006.

That forced U.S. officials to turn the reconstruction to local officials or to commit more money to keep them running.

The report, which was dated Wednesday, found that no completed projects had been transferred to the national government since June 30, 2006. It said 2,362 completed projects valued at $5.3 billion were pending as of May 31.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070728/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_reconstruction

[aquart]

1. Well, why should they? They didn't blow 'em up in the first place.

Sorry, but sometimes continuing tragedy gets ridiculously funny, just for a tiny moment.

[MasonJar]

2. Why should they take over projects which Bechtel et al have been paid for

and screwed up. Send in Bechtel to do the work they have already been paid for.