On July 27, the office of the U.S. Special Investigator for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) released a report that states the Department of Defense cannot account for an astounding 95 percent of at least $9.1 billion in Iraqi funds that it seized when U.S. forces conquered Iraq and dismantled its government in 2003. A total of $8.7 billion has disappeared from the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI). The DFI was created in 2003 by the United Nations with Iraqi money from a combination of oil revenue, previously frozen assets and left over funds in the UN's oil for food program. After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Iraqi government allowed the US military to manage the dispersal of the DFI funds in an effort expedite the reconstruction of Iraq. The US Congress gave the Iraqi government a separate $53 billion for reconstruction. The audit revealed that poor management and lack of regulations have led to the missing funds. For fully $2.6 billion of the missing funds, there is no paperwork at all. Although SIGIR did conduct criminal investigations, which led to eight convictions for bribery, fraud, and money laundering, the report does not suggest that the bulk of the $8.7 billion was stolen. The SIGIR report noted that the US military was slow to establish rules about accounting for the money, but more significantly, "once established the guidance was not followed." The contracting was so poor, the report notes, that the US government may be "potentially liable. Money allocated for reconstruction was originally overseen by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) until it was dissolved in 2004. Subsequently, the Iraqi government permitted the Department of Defense to administer the fund and manage contracts for reconstruction. According to the audit, the only element of the military to provide documentation for money spent was the Army Central Command, which handled and spent roughly $400M. Watch video: PBS NewsHour
War ain't free. Its what conquering nations do even under the banner of liberation. How do you think France occupied so much of eastern canada and Louisana after the Revolutionary War.
France was a colonial power in North America from the early 15th century, it was called New France before America and Canada became countries. Thus, Louisiana and eastern Canada (Quebec) were colonized before they were divided among two countries formed thereafter. NEW FRANCE: 1524-1763
It's called 'people that are handling the money are pocketing that shit'. i.e. the city of Bell, CA scandal. Nuff' said!
