International Board Concerned About ... Equipment to Monitor Iraq's Oil...

[Snazzy]

International Board Concerned About Absence of Equipment to Monitor Iraq's Oil Production

By Edith M. Lederer Associated Press Writer
Published: Jul 13, 2004

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The international board charged with monitoring Iraq's oil revenue says it is concerned about the lack of equipment measuring how much crude is being extracted and about contracts awarded by the former U.S.-controlled administration without competitive bidding.

In a report to the Security Council circulated Tuesday, the board raised several "areas of concern" about the Development Fund for Iraq and the country's oil production and sales which it said could be used to divert money from the reconstruction fund.

The International Advisory and Monitoring Board was authorized by the Security Council in May 2003 to ensure the "transparent" operation of the fund, which was set up at the Central Bank in Baghdad to receive Iraq's oil revenue and frozen assets from the ousted regime led by Saddam Hussein for use in rebuilding the country.

The fund was controlled by the United States and Britain, Iraq's occupying powers, until the June 28 transfer of sovereignty to the new interim government. A council resolution in early June transferred control of the fund to the interim government and continued the board's mandate until after elections to be held by Dec. 31, 2005.

....

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBZD4AWMWD.html

[lovuian]

1. Well I'm not surprised that the Monitoring is Pathetic

cause what better way to steal tons of money by stealing Oil

:bounce:

[Snazzy]

2. exactly! And welcome to DU

:toast:

[Judi Lynn]

3. A Republican Congresscreep made a special speech tonight

on C-Span, claiming where he grew up in Indiana, people were used to seeing billboards claiming the U.S. should get out of the U.N., but it was only his humble hope to find out who the crooks are in the "Food for Oil" problem going on.

He said that he only was interested in making sure that the criminals who work within the U.N. are caught, yadda, yadda, yappa.

Since he gets so whipped up at the thought of corruption, this looks like an area he might want to look into next. Republicans really hate corruption, don't they? They are simply too good for this world.

From the article:

The board asked for any audits relating to these contracts but has not been able to obtain access to them, the report said.
(snip/)

Imagine that!

[hightime]

4. Don't they have the same equipment as monitored Food for Oil program?