Halliburton Faces Heat at Testy Hearing

[floda]

By Sue Pleming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Halliburton defended its giant government contracts in Iraq on Thursday at a rancorous hearing on Capitol Hill at which ex-employees accused Vice President Dick Cheney's old company of wasting taxpayer money.

Appearing at a House of Representatives committee hearing, executives from Halliburton unit Kellogg Brown and Root tried to squash accusations from whistle-blowers who said the corporate culture was one of waste, theft and misuse of funds.

"We absolutely do not have a policy that cost does not matter," said William Walter, a director for the company's government operations.

Halliburton is the U.S. Army's main logistics contractor in Iraq and also has a separate deal trying to revive Iraq's oil industry. This work has the potential to bring in $18 billion for the company, according to government estimates.

snip

In one recent 25-truck convoy, he said 17 windshields were seriously damaged from rocks thrown in two particularly hostile cities. "That's not unusual," he said.


more...

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=5750381&pageNumber=1


edit: link

[gratuitous]

1. Well, that's reassuring

Halliburton "absolutely" does not have a policy that says that cost does not matter. So, what does their policy say? That cost is a very small consideration? Or that it's less important than making sure the check clears? Director Walter's statement means nothing; it's a non-denial denial.

But I'm sure cost matters a whole lot to Halliburton directors when they're shopping for this year's yacht.

[Trillo]

5. He's talking out half his mouth.

and by so doing side-stepped the question about taxpayer money.

Of course they minimize costs. Costs mean money going out--only. He didn't address money coming in, he only addressed half the equation. Basic rule of biz is: minimize costs, maximize revenue.

Taxpayer funding is revenue: money coming in.

They only care about Their Money.

[KittyWampus]

2. Whistleblowers At HALLIBURTON? Brave, Very Brave Folks.

How can ANYONE discount their testimony?

Anybody brave enough to step forward has GOT to be telling the Truth.

[peacetalksforall]

3. I think we need a documentary on Halliburton and Kellogg B R by itself.

But it's OK with me if they include Bechtel and Arthur Anderson.

[reprobate]

6. And let's thro in Carlyle.

[Tellurian]

10. For the time being..it would be great to keep this thread kicked..

anyway...I tried to tune into the live hearings today. But was so bombarded by the accolades awarded to Bush plus the ceremonial handing of the autographed edition of the 911 commission report to Bush. That sadly, I was unable to access the Halliburton investigation on C-Span.

Any idea when it will be continued again?

[wackywill]

4. Look what our esteemed representative has to say

"I believe that tunnel vision, inexperience and naivete are behind most of these witnesses' allegations," said Davis, a Republican from Virginia, adding that he believed some of the ex-employees were out to make book deals.


sorry to say I live in the district represented by this flaming asshole. My only words to Davis are a quote from the coldest, ugly in the soul, non-human ever hatched from peligan shit...Dick "the coward" Cheney....."Go fuck yourself"

[Rose Siding]

7. Look at the repub cry politics!

In the FACE of numerous witnesses and other reps but if it makes the big H look bad, POLITICS! Well, yeah. Politics seems to be the avenue we have to get RID of these criminals. GO POLITICS.

[maddezmom]

8. they are all war profiteers

and felons.

[maggrwaggr]

9. gee, why don't they ask them about Halliburton doing biz in Iran, Libya

and Iraq (pre invasion) all of which were against the United States LAW?

[kimchi]

11. Keep the heat on these mofos.

Very brave people who once worked for KBR. Hats off to them.

[dArKeR]

12. Halliburton, US Army criticized over Iraq deal

SPOILS OF WAR: Cost disputes between the Army and the company were caused by deficient management, according to a congressional report

AP , WASHINGTON
Friday, Jul 23, 2004,Page 7

The US Army botched planning and management of the multibillion-dollar contract to provide food and other services to troops in Iraq, congressional investigators said.

Investigators from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found a "pattern of contractor management problems" which led to cost disputes between the Pentagon and the contractor, Houston-based Halliburton. The GAO investigators also criticized Halliburton's staffing and accounting.

So far, the military has agreed to pay Halliburton more than US$5 billion on the contract in question.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/07/23/2003180079

[maddezmom]

13. couple more links from WaPo and NYT

Halliburton Defends Iraq Work
Executives Concede Mistakes, Blame Conditions
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7115-2004Jul22.html?nav=rss_business

Halliburton Defends Record in Iraq on Capitol Hill
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/23/politics/23halli.html?ex=1091246400&en=6502c2849ddb6798&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA1

[maddezmom]

14. Halliburton May Settle SEC Accounting Investigation, People Say

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&refer=top_world_news&sid=aMqOME3yi8BM

[Bombero1956]

15. here's an idea

Replace the windshields on those trucks with Lexan you dipshit.

[shanti]

17. not a chance!

they just abandon the truck! i'm positive that there was a story fairly recently that talked about the problems the truck convoys were having. they are abandoning the vehicles along the road for minor problems that can be fixed! like say, a broken windshield?

halliburton has tapped into a vein and the're NOT about to leave.

[amandabeech]

18. Maybe they're too frightened to stop to fix them.

Robert Fisk's reports indicate that the "coalition" really does not control anything except the Green Area in Baghdad. The rest of the U.S. zone seems to belong to those who want us to leave.

The folks in the convoy might value their lives more than an $85,000 truck.

[struggle4progress]

16. kick for Cheney's pals

:kick: