# BBC: $23 billion "lost, stolen, or just not properly accounted for" in Iraq **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 11, 2008, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569 "2008-06-11T13:53:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/1 "2008-06-11T13:53:27Z")
Story [here.](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm) > [@](#): > > 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. > > \ > > 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. > > \ > > 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. > > 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. A billion here, a billion there, before you know it, it adds up to real money . . . ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/2 "2008-06-11T14:00:46Z")
What judge issued the gag order? There doesn’t appear to be any sort of litigation going on. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/3 "2008-06-11T14:11:56Z")
Has Kucinich added that to his impeachment list? ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/4 "2008-06-11T14:18:08Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] What judge issued the gag order? There doesn’t appear to be any sort of litigation going on. [/QUOTE] It says 70 cases are going on. Maybe the gagging order, being a gagging order, is preventing discussion? [Iraq Corruption Classified](http://www.thenation.com/blogs/capitalgames/237024/state_dept_corruption_in_iraq_is_classified) > [@](#): > > The Bush administration apparently believes otherwise. It’s holding on to documents; the State Department retroactively classified the embassy report on corruption. It has essentially imposed a gag order on State Department officials knowledgeable about corruption in Iraq. In doing so, it has stretched–and possibly abused–its power to classify information. Why go to such lengths? Because George W. Bush’s Iraq policy–at least for the moment–depends on the Maliki government. But if that government is thoroughly corrupt and dysfunctional, Bush’s policy doesn’t make sense. And that’s the real secret the Bush administration wants to keep. The legal gagging order on the 70 cases will presumably have come from the Dept of Justice. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/5 "2008-06-11T14:21:00Z")
The gag order is what scares me, really. “Don’t worry where your money went. It’s just… Out there. Legally, you can’t ask where and hope for answers.” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/6 "2008-06-11T14:27:29Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Has Kucinich added that to his impeachment list? [/QUOTE] [Article XVI.](http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=93581) (Though, in light of this story, perhaps it should have been worded more strongly.) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/7 "2008-06-11T14:29:26Z")
Now, does this $23 billion include the [$9 billion](http://www.thebostonchannel.com/helenthomas/4228758/detail.html) in bundled cash that wandered off back in 2005? Or is this since that? ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/8 "2008-06-11T14:39:11Z")
I wonder if there’s any chance of treason charges. That would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/9 "2008-06-11T14:48:50Z")
[QUOTE=ArrMatey!] The gag order is what scares me, really. “Don’t worry where your money went. It’s just… Out there. Legally, you can’t ask where and hope for answers.” [/QUOTE] Gag orders are unconstitutional. (Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart 427 U.S. 539) The press sometimes complies with them out of respect - usually in cases involving minor children and such, or sensitive information that might result in retaliatory action against a witnesses’ family or something - but there’s no reason they have to. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/10 "2008-06-11T14:49:54Z")
You, sirrah, are a traitor! How dare you question [del]Der Fuhrer[/del] the President during this time of crisis! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/11 "2008-06-11T14:53:00Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] The above was addressed to Baldwin. Although NRATB might be a traitor, too. You never know. [/QUOTE] _does best not to look shifty_ ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/12 "2008-06-11T15:33:30Z")
$23 Billion? Is that all? I’m guessig thats just the tip of the turdberg. ---
**Author:** ![Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Long_Time_First_Time)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/13 "2008-06-11T16:00:08Z")
Why doesn’t the American media cover this stuff? Or all the law breaking by the administration in general. I really don’t think it’s lack of interest on the part of the public. Is there a reason - real or sinister? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/14 "2008-06-11T16:01:28Z")
It would be like picking a snowflake out of an avalanche. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/15 "2008-06-11T16:05:01Z")
So much for Idiotic Reason Nº58 for invading Iraq: “We have to stop the [Dr Evil]millions[/Dr Evil] being skimmed off the Oil for Food program!” ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/16 "2008-06-11T16:18:44Z")
I’ll tell you where the money’s going. It’s the damn air conditioning bill. Honestly, how many times do your mother and I have to tell you troops to close the door after you go outside? Are you trying to cool the whole Middle East?! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/17 "2008-06-11T16:23:23Z")
Ah Iraq the practice field for Libertarians. Contractors above the law ,no oversight, no rules, no regulation at all. Sure works for the people doesn’t it. Air conditioning requires electricity.Terrifel. ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/18 "2008-06-11T16:33:11Z")
You know what is really fucking annoying? I would have started another pit thread, but seeing as there is an Iraq thread in the Pit (When isn’t there?), I thought I’d mention this. Bush said that the diplomacy is the first option with Iran. Wow, just fucking wow. It sure would have been fucking nice if diplomacy were the first fucking option with Iraq. But then again, Bush’s ego was too fragile to leave Saddam alive and taunting him. Can you imagine how much better off we’d be if we were mired in this bullshit war that was completely unnecessary? Jesus. Anyway, add this to the long fucking list of reasons why you don’t go to war unless you absolutely have to. During a way, especially a longer war, shit happens. People do things they aren’t supposed to do. Bad shit generally happens. Innocents get killed, etc. There had better be a damn good reason to go to war. You know, I simply can’t wait for us to get out of Iraq. I know it’s going to collapse, but it won’t matter if we do it now, or in 5 years. We might as well leave now and then just see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/19 "2008-06-11T16:52:33Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Gag orders are unconstitutional. [/QUOTE] And unnecessary, in this case. I’m straining not to vomit as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569/20 "2008-06-11T17:16:37Z")
[QUOTE=ArrMatey!] The gag order is what scares me, really. “Don’t worry where your money went. It’s just… Out there. Legally, you can’t ask where and hope for answers.” [/QUOTE] I can just hear the Senate Investigating Committee… Senator: Where’s the money? Dick Cheney: We have top men working on it now. Senator: Who? Dick Cheney: Top… men. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbc-23-billion-lost-stolen-or-just-not-properly-accounted-for-in-iraq/452569.md?page=2)