NEW YORK -
Iraq's former finance minister alleged in a U.S. television report that up to $800 million meant to equip the Iraqi army had been stolen from the government by former officials through fraudulent arms deals.
The former minister, Ali Allawi, told CBS' "60 Minutes" that $1.2 billion had been allocated from the Iraqi treasury to the defense ministry to buy new weapons. About $400 million was spent on outdated equipment, while the rest of the money was simply stolen, he said in the interview, which aired Sunday.
Allawi, who has level such accusation repeatedly in the past, said the arms fraud is "one of the biggest thefts in history" and that corrupt former Iraqi officials are now "running around the world hiding and scurrying around."
There are many, many people - including many with strong ties to this administration - who are grabbing cash with both hands from this war. Billions upon billions of dollars. At the sacrifice of other peoples' arms and legs and eyes and lives.
There must be a special place in hell for people who use war as a get-rich-quick scheme.
No comments:
Post a Comment