LAT: U.S. Overhauls Iraqi Reconstruction Program -- Again

[DeepModem Mom]

U.S. Overhauls Iraqi Reconstruction Program -- Again
By T. Christian Miller, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has ordered a major re-evaluation of the troubled $18.4-billion Iraqi reconstruction effort, blaming problems on early decisions to hire U.S. companies for major infrastructure projects.

In a report to Congress this week, the State Department says rebuilding officials will cancel several planned water and electricity plants and shift $832 million to focus on immediate job creation and training for Iraqis.

The new approach would also place a strong emphasis on spending remaining funds to contract with Iraqi companies, which have experienced fewer problems with insurgents and have lower overhead than U.S. multinationals....

***

The adjustment, the third such funding change in nine months, is the latest sign of disarray in efforts to help quell the insurgency by improving living standards and providing jobs for Iraqis.

The report lists problems with the performance of some companies, including Houston-based Halliburton. The report revealed that the United States issued a warning to KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary, in January, threatening possible termination on its $1.2 billion reconstruction contract....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-rebuild9apr09,0,4376370.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[MichiganVote]

1. Bullshit, bullshit and more bullshit

[geomon666]

2. I wonder how much money will disappear this time?

10 billion? 100 billion?

[countmyvote4real]

3. Duh?

If the corruption was supposed to be averted from the start then this is how “we” would have done it from the get go. And that assumes the * plan had any intentions other than securing the oil fields.

Come on. Who has a greater stake in rebuilding Iraq than their own citizens? Then balance that with who has a greater potential profit? An Iraq company or a no-bid contract with stakes still held by the Vice President of the USA?

Unfortunately, it’s too late now to cut the pie this way with “our” shit all over it. American democracy = corruption.

[Rose Siding]

4. Rumsfeld isn't even mentioned

Wasn't this HIS failed policy? If I remember correctly, it was a scandal at the time to have the DoD handle reconstruction- at one point, coordination was tasked to Rice. That didn't work, so let's give it to....Rice!

[tabasco]

5. Say it ain't so, Dick Cheney !

Your corrupt corporation has bilked the American taxpayer, and we're left with billions gone, and a steaming pile of crap.

As long as the oil companies are making record profits - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !! :mad: