Under The Same Sun: Is this any way to run an occupation?

« What Conflict of Interest? Abner Mason, Drug-Industry Frontman and Presidential Advisor on HIV/AIDS, Takes Out a Full Page Ad Attacking Generics | Main | The Real Threat »

July 16, 2004

Is this any way to run an occupation?

The Bush administration is withholding information from U.N.-sanctioned auditors examining more than $1 billion in contracts awarded to Halliburton Co. and other companies in Iraq without competitive bidding, the head of the international auditing board said Thursday.

Washington Post
U.S. Won't Turn Over Data for Iraq Audits
July 16, 2004

Lest you think this is nitpicking, the numbers involved are quite large. Just Halliburton alone has been awarded at least $1.4 billion worth of contracts without competitive bids from May 2003 to December 2003. There may be other contracts awarded without competition, we don't know. We don't know because the United States is refusing to turn over the documents to the U.N.-mandated audit body.

Remember, this is not U.S. money -- this is all Iraqi revenues and assets. Of course, there are sizable non-competitive bids going to Halliburton with U.S. taxpayer money too but audit requirements on those are tougher. It's not that they aren't reckless with American lives or money, but clearly Iraqi money is easier to usurp, just as Iraqi lives are easier to waste.

Meanwhile, a few days back, L.A. Times had reported that "Advocates of War Now Profit From Iraq's Reconstruction."

Lobbyists, aides to senior officials and others encouraged invasion and now help firms pursue contracts.They see no conflict. ... As lobbyists, public relations counselors and confidential advisors to senior federal officials, they warned against Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, praised exiled leader Ahmad Chalabi, and argued that toppling Saddam Hussein was a matter of national security and moral duty.
Now, as fighting continues in Iraq, they are collecting tens of thousands of dollars in fees for helping business clients pursue federal contracts and other financial opportunities in Iraq.

I swear, is this any way to run an occupation? Is this just stupidity and cronyism? Arrogance and hubris? A very clever and devious plan the full-scope of which is still to be revealed? Are they just plain dumb? Are these guys secret anti-imperialists? They run things in the worst possible manner so that the U.S. imperial project takes a hit as angry Americans join hands with the disgusted global public in order to dismantle it? Are they just trying to bring about the end of the world as quickly as possible?

Is this any way to run an occupation?

Posted by zeynep at July 16, 2004 01:32 AM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.underthesamesun.org/mt-tb.cgi/108

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Is this any way to run an occupation?:

» War is Just Another Racket from Nonviolence.org
In the LA Times, Advocates of War Now Profit From Iraq’s Reconstruction Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey... [Read More]

Tracked on July 20, 2004 12:18 PM

» casino game from casino game
Nothing really compares the full version of casino game - the best I have ever seen on the net. Only at casino game you can really play. casino game is your ultimate source for gambling online! http://www.c... [Read More]

Tracked on July 5, 2005 08:39 AM

Comments

Good questions all, Zeynep. Unfortunately the answers in this case are harder than the questions but let my try anyway. I think mostly it's a combination of ignorance and supreme arrogance that propels these criminal activities of corporations like Haliburton, Bechtel, et al. But they are so inept with their criminal activities and leave such an easy to follow paper trail that stupidity is also a major contributor. So we have ignorance, arrogance, and stupidity which, of course, is a great formula for extinction. No wonder Dick "GFY" Cheney is so testy-testy these days. Fat-cat criminals with no clothes on do not like to be told that they are fat-cat criminals with no clothes on. That's the best that I can do this late at night. Here in California it is nearing the midnight hour and I am burning the midnight oil per usual. It's a good thing I'm retired or I'd never get any sleep at all.

Sincerely,
Old & In The Way

Posted by: Phil Cicchi at July 16, 2004 02:24 AM

Be sure to check today's Knight-Ridder report on James Woolsey to add that last bit of froth to your already-boiling blood.

Posted by: CitizenDog at July 16, 2004 04:15 PM

Yes,I;m pleased you keep hammering on the money thing,that we,in the past 15 months have been spending Iraqi money,Iraqi money flowing directly to US corporations,without competetive bidding,essentially flowing right out of Iraqi hands into "ours" is so totaly discusting ,I'm at a loss.But,then again,what that 18 billion we've been hanging on to for those 15 months, when the true purpose of that money is revealed {the New Iraqi Dictatorship}the former outrage will no doubt be like watching the movie Blue Velvet today.................Why was that so outrageous?

Posted by: anna mist at July 17, 2004 04:14 AM

Posted by: internet gambling at January 24, 2005 12:52 AM

Posted by: texas holdem at March 13, 2005 08:14 AM

Under The Same Sun

reflections on a world where the sun never sets

July 16, 2004

Is this any way to run an occupation?

Trackback Pings

Comments

Post a comment