Iraq Loses $8 Billion Through Corruption (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Iraq Loses $8 Billion Through Corruption

By BASSEM MROUE and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA
The Associated Press
Wednesday, April 4, 2007; 3:32 PM

BAGHDAD -- Iraq's top corruption fighter said Wednesday that $8 billion in government
money was wasted or stolen over the past three years and claimed he was threatened
with death after opening an investigation into scores of Oil Ministry employees.

In the chaos and lawlessness of Iraq, such threats are not taken lightly. Radi al-Radhi,
who runs the Public Integrity Commission, leads one of the more dangerous missions in
the country. He said in an interview with The Associated Press that 20 members of the
organization have been murdered since it began its work.

In perhaps the most publicized recent case, an estimated $2 billion disappeared from
funds to rebuild the electricity infrastructure.

-snip-

Corruption in the country, while traditionally rampant, is encouraged by constitutional
clause 136 B, al-Radhi said. It gives Cabinet ministers the power to block his
investigations.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401718.html

[MasonJar]

1. Now we know why Saddam had to die; by now the Iraqis would revolting to restore him to power.

Bush is going to have to forego one more causa belli.(sp?) He can no longer claim that the invasion and occupation was worth it get rid of Saddam.

[DCKit]

2. "encouraged by constitutional caluse 136 B.... power to block investigations"

Guess the Iraqi's have the constitution this administration wishes we had.