"The largest war profiteering in history"

By Cernig

A Bush administration gagging order is preventing investigations of the extent of corruption and war profiteering in Iraq.

A BBC investigation estimates that around $23bn (£11.75bn) may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.

For the first time, the extent to which some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding has been researched by the BBC's Panorama using US and Iraqi government sources.

A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.

The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.

While George Bush remains in the White House, it is unlikely the gagging orders will be lifted.

To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.

The president's Democrat opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq.

Henry Waxman who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said: "The money that's gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, its egregious.

"It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."

I'll say this plain - I find it difficult to believe that senior administration and military figures have not themselves been enriched by some of these missing biliions. Are we really to believe that corruption, graft and bribery - some of which involved missing weaponry which was likely sold on the black market and used to kill US soldiers - was widespread up to the level of Lt. Colonel or Republican congresscritter, but no further? Maybe after the Bush Years we'll get to find out.

Comments

[kgus]

It's certainly possible that the profits might stop at mid-level -- but the cover-up always goes higher.