The Missing $9 Billion
David Anderson of ISOU is claiming that he asked me a question about the $9 Billion that has "gone missing" in Iraq. I never got the question, but I've been busy (and sick) lately so maybe I missed it in the shuffle of trying to keep up. I don't know if he emailed it or posted it on his blog. Either way, I wasn't aware that I had been asked.
Here's the issue at hand:
Certainly troubling news. I hope that the proper authorities launch an investigation into where this money has gone and take the proper steps toward ensuring that it does not happen again. This sort of mismanagement is hurtful to our operations in Iraq, but even if the consequences of this sort of mismanagement weren't as dire as they are I would still demand accountability. It is my right as a taxpayer.
But many on the left will try to spin this story into a reason for us to pull our troops out of Iraq. That is a silly idea. This story is indicative of a need for greater oversight and accountability in Iraq, not a need to halt our support of the Iraqi people just as their newly-elected government begins to take over. As far as I'm concerned that money was sent to Iraq for an excellent reason, all I ask for is assurance that it reached those for whom it was intended for.
Here's the issue at hand:
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. occupation authority in Iraq was unable to keep track of nearly $9 billion it transferred to government ministries, which lacked financial controls, security, communications and adequate staff, an inspector general has found.
The U.S. officials relied on Iraqi audit agencies to account for the funds but those offices were not even functioning when the funds were transferred between October 2003 and June 2004, according to an audit by a special U.S. inspector general.
Certainly troubling news. I hope that the proper authorities launch an investigation into where this money has gone and take the proper steps toward ensuring that it does not happen again. This sort of mismanagement is hurtful to our operations in Iraq, but even if the consequences of this sort of mismanagement weren't as dire as they are I would still demand accountability. It is my right as a taxpayer.
But many on the left will try to spin this story into a reason for us to pull our troops out of Iraq. That is a silly idea. This story is indicative of a need for greater oversight and accountability in Iraq, not a need to halt our support of the Iraqi people just as their newly-elected government begins to take over. As far as I'm concerned that money was sent to Iraq for an excellent reason, all I ask for is assurance that it reached those for whom it was intended for.
