George Soros launches Iraq Revenue Watch

[lanlady]

I just came across this website, funded by Soros. Seems to have some useful info:

Iraq Revenue Watch

Two new reports by the Iraq Revenue Watch (www.iraqrevenuewatch.org) highlight an absence of transparency and inclusiveness in the reconstruction of Iraq and the management of its public finances.

Iraq’s First Public Budget is the first in-depth analysis of the Iraqi budget. The report highlights the lack of transparency and accountability in the $6.1 billion budget, which was put forward last month by U.S. Ambassador Paul Bremer. This budget was a huge step in a country where budgets were closely guarded state secrets and it was a crime to reveal them. In a list of recommendations on how to improve the budgetary process in 2004, the report calls for greater inclusion of Iraqis in the budgetary process, transparency of the Development Fund for Iraq, the publication of minutes of the Program Review Board and the elimination of off-budget funds. (http://www.iraqrevenuewatch.org/reports/080503.pdf

Iraq’s Reconstruction Contracts: Telecommunications analyzes the lucrative tender that the Coalition Authority announced in July to provide wireless phone services to Iraqis. Expanding telephone access is a key step to improving Iraqis' lives. However, if the U.S. is to succeed in its goal of building a capable and transparent public administration in Iraq, it is important that Iraqis are included in the contracting process and that the terms of the tender are not designed to preference U.S. companies. The report highlights concerns with the fairness and openness of the mobile phone tender, and provides recommendations on how to improve the transparency and inclusiveness of subsequent tenders. http://www.iraqrevenuewatch.org/reports/082803.pdf

About Iraq Revenue Watch
In May 2003, George Soros announced a new initiative of the Open Society Institute, the Iraq Revenue Watch (www.iraqrevenuewatch.org). Iraq Revenue Watch monitors Iraq's oil industry and public finances to ensure that they are managed with the highest standards of transparency so that the benefits of national oil wealth flow to the people of Iraq. Iraq Revenue Watch (IRW) complements existing Open Society Institute initiatives that monitor revenues produced by the extractive industries.

To receive free notification of new reports, please enter your e-mail address on the Iraq Revenue Watch web site or simply reply to this email with "subscribe" as the subject.

http://www.iraqrevenuewatch.org/