http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm

A BBC investigation estimates that around $23bn (£11.75bn) may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.

For the first time, the extent to which some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding has been researched by the BBC's Panorama using US and Iraqi government sources.

A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.

The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.

War profiteering

While George Bush remains in the White House, it is unlikely the gagging orders will be lifted.

To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.

The president's Democrat opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq.

Henry Waxman who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said: "The money that's gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, its egregious.

"It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."

In the run-up to the invasion one of the most senior officials in charge of procurement in the Pentagon objected to a contract potentially worth seven billion that was given to Halliburton, a Texan company, which used to be run by Dick Cheney before he became vice-president.

Unusually only Halliburton got to bid - and won.

Missing billions

The search for the missing billions also led the programme to a house in Acton in West London where Hazem Shalaan lived until he was appointed to the new Iraqi government as minister of defence in 2004.


Judge Radhi al Radhi: "I believe these people are criminals."
He and his associates siphoned an estimated $1.2 billion out of the ministry.

They bought old military equipment from Poland but claimed for top class weapons.

Meanwhile they diverted money into their own accounts.

Judge Radhi al-Radhi of Iraq's Commission for Public Integrity investigated.

He said: "I believe these people are criminals.

"They failed to rebuild the Ministry of Defence , and as a result the violence and the bloodshed went on and on - the murder of Iraqis and foreigners continues and they bear responsibility."

Mr Shalaan was sentenced to two jail terms but he fled the country.

He said he was innocent and that it was all a plot against him by pro-Iranian MPs in the government.

There is an Interpol arrest out for him but he is on the run - using a private jet to move around the globe.

He stills owns commercial properties in the Marble Arch area of London.

Panorama investigates claims that as much as $23bn (£11.75bn) may have been lost, stolen or not properly accounted for in Iraq.

When the US goes to war, corporate America goes too.

There are contracts for caterers, tanker drivers, security guards and even interrogators, many of them through companies with links to the White House.

Now more than 70 whistleblower cases threaten to reveal the scandals behind billions of dollars worth of waste, theft and corruption during the Iraq war.

Gagging orders

A total of $23bn (£11.75bn) is under scrutiny.

The US justice department has imposed gagging orders which prevent the real scale of the problem emerging.

But Panorama's Jane Corbin has spoken to some of those involved - with astonishing stories to tell of who got rich and who got burned.

She hears allegations of mismanagement, fraud and waste; tales of contractors chosen for their US government connections without a competitive bidding process; contractors inflating their costs and double counting to increase their profits and billions supposed to be used to rebuild the Iraqi military allegedly ending up in the pockets of some Iraqi government officials.

Even the contract to oversee the expenditure went to a company with no relevant qualification in accounting.

"They are the quintessential war profiteers," said a witness to one of the most notorious companies involved. "They made money out of chaos."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/7438372.stm


Did anyone else watch Panorama last night? I was left completely dumbfounded

everybodi sabi say Iraq war na for oil

Iraq war is for oil? What a shallow way of reasoning! Has US not sacrificed a lot for Iraqis? Saddam's threat was enough reason for US to act. The cause of that war dates back to September, 2001 attack against US. The Muslims in the world and the evil Saddam were all happy that thousands of people died in 11th September, 2001 attack. What else are you talking?

Pastor PLC:

Iraq war is for oil? What a shallow way of reasoning! Has US not sacrificed a lot for Iraqis? Saddam's threat was enough reason for US to act. The cause of that war dates back to September, 2001 attack against US. The Great Ones in the world and the evil Saddam were all happy that thousands of people died in 11th September, 2001 attack. What else are you talking?

Shallow way of reasoning? My dear, the way of reasoning that you refer to as shallow is 100% better than your opinions on this issue starting from the dumb question to the conclusion based on crass ignorance.

Pastor PLC:

Iraq war is for oil? What a shallow way of reasoning! Has US not sacrificed a lot for Iraqis? Saddam's threat was enough reason for US to act. The cause of that war dates back to September, 2001 attack against US. The Great Ones in the world and the evil Saddam were all happy that thousands of people died in 11th September, 2001 attack. What else are you talking?

You obviously see only one side of the divide and your argument is not even deep enough anyway

Afam:

Shallow way of reasoning? My dear, the way of reasoning that you refer to as shallow is 100% better than your opinions on this issue starting from the dumb question to the conclusion based on crass ignorance.

Well, quite sure, your reason that the war in Iraq is because of oil is due to ignorance of the whole issue. Iraq is not the only country with oil and I wonder why you guys reason that way. The war in Afghanistan was or is still because of oil? You guys always make up issues that are unrelated to what is on ground.

Im certain that Oil was included in the decision for attacking Iraq, as well as the fact that the U.S. has never had love for Saddam or the way he ran his country, As you can see it didnt take much for the U.S. to launch the war in the first place. One faulty piece of C.I.A intelligence and Iraq is forever changed, For the better or worse is yet to be seen.

Pastor PLC:

Well, quite sure, your reason that the war in Iraq is because of oil is due to ignorance of the whole issue. Iraq is not the only country with oil and I wonder why you guys reason that way. The war in Afghanistan was or is still because of oil? You guys always make up issues that are unrelated to what is on ground.

The issue on this thread remains Iraq but as usual when people like you are exposed for what you are you begin to see ghosts.

Afghanistan ko, Argentina ni. Nonsense.

The word illuminati is old terminology,the more you look,the less you see,the eye on the dollar is a symbol of big brother watching over all and absolut domination.War industries and affairs is a multi-trillion dollar business and it is here to stay as long as greedy and inhumane people live.

Do you think they design and create those killing machines for exhibitions and charities?they create them to instigate troubles and make money,a whole lot of connected affairs,from the federal reserve,world bank amd imf that finance the business,to defense,to arms makers and dealers,to employees connected to the industries, to even sulks supplying contractors is a complex web of money generating which keeps the players bastardly rich and the economy buoyant.

Federal reserve was set up to finance wars,and deep down it is family owned not american goverment,even though it sounds so. This game have been on from centuries,from the knight templars to this day,same group of people,from generation to generation and it is the same ball game of manipulation,conquest,brutality and material gains.

Good point Red

Give it to 'em!

just waiting for those JUMBO-MOBO analist to see what they make of this one. yes like they all wanted, america base in NIgeria?

shine your eyes well wellu o! Well that US profited from war is no news to us im afraid. We already knew it!

The war in Iraq has done more harm than good for the US. economy. But let's continue to support those troops, no matter what.

MyTempID:

The war in Iraq has done more harm than good for the US. economy. But let's continue to support those troops, no matter what.

support killer troops as they perpetuate the killing and maiming of the innocent people of Iraq?

Can you compare what US has lost in that War with what you falsely claimed as the gain so far? Why making your slice up on the war without proof to back it up? Listen, the Iraq war has cost the US 50-60 times more than what you think is the gain and the US lost so far is threatening the world economy. I remember the former World Bank vice-president said the war had, so far, cost the US something like $US3trillion ($3.3 trillion) and that the US government has spent over $US500 billion on medical and welfare for military servicemen alone.

So, tell me how much they have realized from the so-called oil and Iraq economy still remain relatively buoyant. The war was now the second-most expensive in US history after World War II and the second-longest after Vietnam. No right thinking person will agree that oil was the cause of the War in Iraq because US spending on Iraq was a hidden cause for massive financial drain that has continued flooding the American economy. Go and check US economy and you will understand the point I’m making.

The fallout of that war in Iraq has continued to plunge the US economy into recession and saddling Bush (US president) with the biggest budget deficit in history.

We are not even talking of able soldiers wasted in that war and they continue to face danger till date. The money being spent on the war each week would be enough to wipe out illiteracy around the world and you guys are there talking about oil as if Saudi Arabia, Libya, Kuwait etc have no oil. Still America has not invaded those countries.

Pastor,same money you are saying is wasted are in the pockets of the ring leading war lords,bush,cheney and co,don't you get it?money don't just disappear,it is not cash but word of mouth and arragement,money that doesn't exist,but it belongs to them,put your name to it,if you are part of the players.

In as much as it makes the economy buoyant a bit,the primary interest is not american public in general,but the reptilian clicks of illuminaties,as always,all those traditional products of yales,harvard,oxford,cambrige,brotherhood in crime,from the universities to  goverments,same principles of manipulating, ruling and controling the world,here to stay,unless you wise up.


Bush is a product of yales but he doesn't sound or act bright,which goes to show that going to yales is not about intelligence,but what your name is,who is your father?I am suprise at people who doesn't know that this whole bullshit of world politics and social order is a very shallow and dumb game,played by some animals with great deal of complexes,trying to be what they are not,at this time of age of available information,where every body should be empowered by knowing the truth,only the truth shall set you free,it's not about money or wealth,but REAL knowledge,knowing that it is your birth right to be.

There seems to be some disconnect here.
The title said the war was about oil, but the article points to war profiteering by contractor companies.

There's a difference between these two. please clarify

to the JUMBO-mobo analist!

what makes you think that the capital spent on war excede what US are expoliting from the Iraqis?

shocking!!!! beleive what you wana believe

Funny enough the same whiteman you fronting for over here in London somehow knows the above statement is totally gimmick, nonesense!
we only hope that some people will wake up one day and smell the coffe and stop propergating all those bullucks!

dudu-bobo:

support killer troops as they perpetuate the killing and maiming of the innocent people of Iraq?

No. Support patriotic troops who were lured into, or wilfully joined, the US. army to protect their nation and to combat against terrorism.  To fight against Hussein's regime and to bring liberty to the people of Iraq.  The idea that the US. government has a different agenda should not prevent you from backing the troops, who by the way, are just doing their job.

Pastor, please shut up! Please just shutt upp!!!

You are giving migraine with your yucky responses. If you don't have anything original to say on this topic PLEASE LAY BACK AND WATCH AS PEOPLE DISCUSS RELEVANCE AND CONTRIBUTE INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS TO THE SUBJECT.

I have a question for you. Do you know about The New American Century? If you do not I suggest you go read about them and then use that knowledge to reposition your understanding on this subject. Please.

Pastor, while you are there, read about BLACKWATER also. Ya hear me?

They have made so much money from Iraq and they say it was not about the oil.
thief thief Americans

I wonder what the war is all about if it is not for oil. Iraq just happen to be the victim for now God forbid if Nigeria should let these Niger-Delta issues extend beyond control then, expect the BIG BROTHERS America. They will claim to be fighting for innocent Nigerians againt Millitants while they enrich their economy with Nigeria's treasury.

Pastor, the money is all in the pocket of Americans. It's not wasted. Money/resources can be said to be completely wasted when it has taken leave from your economy and has no way of multiplying to good effect. If it is still within the economy, it can only generate further wealth.

Comparing to Nigeria, the reason Nigeria has so much problems is because we steal money and send the money abroad to multiply within foreign economies and help them to develop

US invaded Iraq because of oil, still non of you can prove it. I have not read anything from you guys to prove it. It's just false assumption. Why didn't Saddam Hussein cry out that he had no nuclear weapon when America was accusing his country. He pretended he had it only to intimidate the rest of Asian countries with his sham claim. Even when UN came to Iraq to search, he didn't give them full access. He only took them around to places he liked. Now, where is the nigger? He died shamefully with his 2 sons.

Pastor, here is the bottom line, if Nigeria decides tomorrow to stop selling oil to America, trust me within months Nigeria will be labeled with a negative and false accusation, they will say your leaders are abusing the citizens, starving them, there are graduates on the streets with no job, there is no electricity, this human abuse, this is slavery, this is oppression, all kind of atrocities will be heaped against the Nigerian leaders. The atrocities are not wrong, but why is America not out there talking about it now? Oil! When the flow stop, the seal on the mouth also come off and they talk till there is enough legitimized reason why Nigeria should be attacked so they can save the people. Are they blind, can they not save us now if they want to? Open your eyes Pastor, take off your blindfold.

Negro_Ntns:

Pastor, here is the bottom line, if Nigeria decides tomorrow to stop selling oil to America, trust me within months Nigeria will be labeled with a negative and false accusation, they will say your leaders are abusing the citizens, starving them, there are graduates on the streets with no job, there is no electricity, this human abuse, this is slavery, this is oppression, all kind of atrocities will be heaped against the Nigerian leaders. The atrocities are not wrong, but why is America not out there talking about it now? Oil! When the flow stop, the seal on the mouth also come off and they talk till there is enough legitimized reason why Nigeria should be attacked so they can save the people. Are they blind, can they not save us now if they want to? Open your eyes Pastor, take off your blindfold.

Firstly,if Nigeria decided instantly to stop selling oil to the US,such an economically suicidal act would justify any such opprobrium rained on the Nigerian leadership. Beyond that,Saddam never made such a decision to stop selling oil to the US so I don't see how your mangled analogy arises.

Pastor PLC:

US invaded Iraq because of oil, still non of you can prove it. I have not read anything from you guys to prove it. It's just false assumption. Why didn't Saddam Hussein cry out that he had no nuclear weapon when America was accusing his country. He pretended he had it only to intimidate the rest of Asian countries with his sham claim. Even when UN came to Iraq to search, he didn't give them full access. He only took them around to places he liked. Now, where is the nigger? He died shamefully with his 2 sons.

I remember a TV debate back in 2003 in which someone asked a proponent of the oil conspiracy theories how precisely a war in Iraq will benefit the US.The conspiracist was stumped for words. The US could easily cut a deal with Saddam for oil,he was very much open to that,and let him be. Listening to these people,you would think Iraq sells oil to the US at a discount.

texazzpete:

There seems to be some disconnect here.
The title said the war was about oil, but the article points to war profiteering by contractor companies.

There's a difference between these two. please clarify

99.02% of those companies are American companies!!!
some linked with Laura bush, Cheney, retired military general etc

Can you compare what US has lost in that War with what you falsely claimed as the gain so far? Why making your slice up on the war without proof to back it up?

_{when you are starting a business you normally run a loss for several years before making crazy profits!!!}
the US is basically investing in iraq! (almost)every single thing is being supplied by American companies, the drilling the trading, the security of the oil facilities are in the hands of the Americans; 100 years to come they'll still be getting their cut!

so where are the wmds

Dis Guy:

99.02% of those companies are American companies!!!
some linked with Laura bush, Cheney, retired military general etc

The gaping flaw in the above should be obvious.Some American companies have benefited from Iraq but so have Russian,Iraqi,French,German companies,e.t.c

Your argument is founded on untruths-that people like Cheney and Laura Bush(I don't even know how she is linked) will incur some pecuniary benefits from contracts awarded to US companies.That is pure bullocks.

Your claim that "almost every thing" is supplied by US companies is laughable.Perhaps,almost everything to US troops but the Iraqi Govt regularly awards contracts to Iranian companies,never mind their American counterparts.For instance,Orascom(the Egyptian company)got the most lucrative telecoms contracts.Turkish and other Middle-Eastern companies have lucrative deals in the oil sector.

Even if the Iraqis awarded all such contracts to the US,common sense will tell you that a $100bn economy like Iraq's won't produce enough profits to cover for a war that costs $100bn a year for a nation like the US with a $14 trillion economy. The entire Iraqi economy is smaller than that of New Jersey.

most of what i wrote were obviously exaggerated but at current price their reserve is worth about $14trillion*, the current economy might be worth less than NJ but US will definitely be getting a good chunk of that money!

what other countries benefits from Iraqi oil is peanuts to what the Americans will get for a very looooong time!

Cheney still have stock options with haliburton!! Laura bush is linked with a company rebuilding hospitals and clinics!

_{* can't remember the precise amount from the doc.}

For your argument to make sense,lets make some assumptions,most of them beyond the realm of rationality.

Lets assume that all current known Iraqi reserves will be sold with exclusively US oil companies as joint venture partners(in reality,even now,the Iraqi Govt doesn't allow this).The proportion of gross revenue that goes to such a partner,it varies depending on the contract, taking Nigeria as an example typically won't exceed 15%(its likely to be even less).

Lets assume profit margins of 30%(I'm being extremely generous). . . .revenues of $2.1 trillion,using the $14trillion you used, will generate profits of $630bn.Given that the Iraq war would have cost far more than that,I also adopted extremely generous assumptions,the Iraq war won't have a net financial benefit for the US from the oil sector.

The Iraqis will have to grant US oil companies exclusive rights for eternity for the above to even apply.They haven't done it now,you have to be a bit blinkered to believe they will ever do so.

We used current market value,US oil companies would have had to have known that oil prices(which were $30 p/b in '03)would come up to this level and never go lower than this until Iraq runs out of oil.

In summary,that aspect of the 'oil for war conspiracy' is absurd,imbecilic and hopelessly uninformed.


I noted that none of the US Govt officials will derive any pecuniary benefits from the contracts.You mentioned Cheney's stock options-these are the same stock options in respect of which he is legally bound to hand over any profits therefrom to charity.I repeat,Cheney derives no personal financial benefit from contracts awarded to Halliburton.

As for the Laura Bush aspect,I am still awaiting evidence of what these links are.Won't be any different from the horse hockey conspiracy theories you hear about politicians

do you know the English had their grudge on US over contract allocation as most are american. hmmm these analsit? better come back home and build nigeria as they are losing their brain cells in the cold