BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions

BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions

news.bbc.co.uk

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.

(visit the link for the full news article)

23 billion is more than the annual budget of many small countries.

And that isn't what's been spent in Iraq - that's just the amount that is unaccounted for.

No contractors charged, and a gagging order in place - does it sound like they have something to hide?

People need to wake up to the fact that bush is a crook, who gives money to his friends whilst in office so that he can call in favours when he leaves.

Edit to add, I'll try and find a link to the show after it airs tonight - it should also be on the BBC iplayer for those who can get it here

The documentary is by Panorama and airs tonight at 9:00 BST.

news.bbc.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 10/6/2008 by budski]

reply to post by budski


Wow Budski! S&F'd!

Amazing how this much money could go "unaccounted for".

Just think of how much this could go towards increasing our Education and National Security here at home.

I bet you could build a border fence with that amount of money!

Not bad budski, i was keeping an eye out for that hole.

Now then, where does the money lead i wonder?

reply to post by Anti-Tyrant


A lot of it is to the contractors - corruption is rife in those organisations.

I'm going to be having a look at who is friends with who quite soon, and also including the bilderberg group - unless someone beats me to it

reply to post by budski


I wouldn't be too surprised if the bilderbergs aren't involved, or are at the very least were involved through their typical web of fake companies.

I might watch this on panorama, just to see whether or not they've followed the clue.

I take every opportunity I can to push this post.

It's a chronology of how the Bush Administration has tried to muzzle the head of the department investigating Iraq reconstruction contracts. It's shameful and blatantly supporting the corruption in Iraq. I get physically sick when I think of the money wasted, especially at a time like this when people are losing their homes and livelihoods...

Great find Budski!

This money could almost double the amount spent on education in this country.
Its despicable.
What do you think? Maybe the government is using this to work on secret projects, new technologies that no one knows about.
Or worse - on new plasma screen TVs!

This will go down as the greatest con job in history. Children in history class will ask "How could they have let this happen?".

We need to see this documentary in the U.S. If anyone is able to record it, I am willing to buy a copy. Please contact me via U2U to set up arrangements. It's asinine to deny such an important documentary to the very people whose taxes have been used for this "fat cat" welfare system set up by Bush and Cheney!

s&f

update:
Found my connection to this documentary... thank you.

[edit on 10-6-2008 by yankeerose]

I found this video preview of the documentary on BBC1 tonight. I don't see anywhere on the site that they have full episodes for download.

edit: I found dozens of episodes of Panarama on Youtube. Hopefully someone will post it up there in the next few days.

[edit on 6/10/2008 by mythatsabigprobe]

According to many conspiracy theorists, this is why we are in this war anyway. Billions are being spent and go to patriotic american corporations? I wonder how many of these people live or own property somewhere else? No, this is much bigger than that........isn't it?

So, a few companies are caught or set up to appease the news media. What about all the claims of this money going to pay the terrorists and into Iran etc.?

reply to post by mythatsabigprobe


I would imagine that the episode will only be made available once the episode has been put out, most likely in order to gather ratings.

Originally posted by yankeerose
We need to see this documentary in the U.S. If anyone is able to record it, I am willing to buy a copy. Please contact me via U2U to set up arrangements. It's asinine to deny such an important documentary to the very people whose taxes have been used for this "fat cat" welfare system set up by Bush and Cheney!

s&f

update:
Found my connection to this documentary... thank you.

[edit on 10-6-2008 by yankeerose]

I think you can view it in the usa using the bbc website's Iplayer

Guys, I've posted a link to the BBC iplayer in the commentary part of the OP.

It may not work outside the UK - not sure - but if it doesn't, there'll probably be other video out there in the next couple of days.

The subject of the thread: $23 billion missing...

Thoughts?

The fact that it's "missing" is most disconcerting.

That's an awful lot of money that could be used by the wrong hands, and if they cover their tracks someone out there could have their own damn private army and we'd be none the wiser...

Originally posted by Anti-Tyrant
reply to post by mythatsabigprobe

 

I would imagine that the episode will only be made available once the episode has been put out, most likely in order to gather ratings.

It's scheduled for 9PM today, that means it's running right now.

reply to post by mythatsabigprobe


Not quite mate, i've still got 20 minutes or so.

Just enough time for that stew to be finished cooking.

Just a thought but if the BBC has found £23 billion dollars worth of what is basically fraudulent activity by contractors/Iraqi ministers etc.. Does it not beg the question. How much could a legitimate force find i.e. FBI/Interpol. In a situation where hundreds of billions of dollars are being thrown about with very little accountability, surely it is not improbable to double or even triple the £23 billion. Seems a lot of people are getting very rich on the death and destruction being sown by G W Bush and his cohorts, in the name of the American people.

My money is on Blackwater. What better way to steal 20+ billion $ than a private army with no accountability. Probably gave a good chunk to the guys who got them in on this free-for-all. I wonder who the crooks will appoint to find it.....Erik Prince?