Shhh . . . There Is Corruption in Iraq

Washington Post ^ | 25 June 2007 | Walter Pincus

[BGHater]

Senior Iraqi cabinet members over a six-month period blocked investigations and prosecutions of corruption within their ministries valued at $35 million, using a Saddam Hussein-era law meant to shield officials from political abuses of the justice system, according to a recent memo by an official at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reinstated the law, under which no governmental corruption case can be instituted against an Iraqi minister or former minister without the minister's permission. The ministers can, in turn, selectively immunize their subordinates, thus protecting them from being prosecuted for corruption.

As a result, more than 48 investigations or prosecutions initiated between September 2006 and February 2007 by Iraq's Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) were stopped, according to the March 11, 2007, memo prepared for the embassy's Anti-corruption Working Group.

It warns that the number 48 may be an understatement, since ministers asked to see if the immunity law may apply "simply hold on to the cases indefinitely thereby de facto blocking the trial."

The already blocked cases involved possible corruption at 11 ministries and the government's Central Bank. These included probes of contracts aiding rehabilitation of the devastated Iraqi economy, for power plant repairs, bridges and oil production equipment; the theft of dozens of oil trucks carrying a half-million dollars' worth of oil; and "violations" of a contract for armor vests, the memo stated.

[BGHater]

'Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reinstated the law, under which no governmental corruption case can be instituted against an Iraqi minister or former minister without the minister's permission. The ministers can, in turn, selectively immunize their subordinates, thus protecting them from being prosecuted for corruption.'

Nice.

'The memo listed the political affiliations of those caught up in the investigations. Many Central Bank and Agriculture Ministry cases involve followers of Moqtada al-Sadr, the Shiite cleric, while oil cases involve the main Shiite political group.'

Mookie's crew gettng a pass.

[bnelson44]

There is corruption everywhere in the middle east.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!

[353FMG]

Not that much different from what we experience here. In fact, I would be very surprised if there had not been corruption in some sections of the Iraqi government.

[Rodm]

Like there’s no corruption in Washington DC? LOL!

[SolidWood]

You know... the media, the ‘crats and a good chunk of the right have set an arbitrary standard for the Iraqis, which makes it impossible for them to EVER do something remotely right. Every single death, violence and corruption, every little mistake, as tiny and irrelevant it may be means Iraqi (and by proxy American) FAILURE. They are being held on irrational, unachievable standards.
Show me a country without corruption or violence.

[Red6]

Here’s a hint - It’s the Middle East. The “ONLY” country in that entire region with a true resemblance of a rule of law, democracy, and Western/open/free culture is Israel. That’s it. The rest, to include Egypt are neither free, nor is their a rule of law and in part not even a concept of “fairness” (Something many don’t understand). Applying Western ethics will always bring disappointment. Don’t expect Iraq to be like the US; expect them to be an Arab Muslim Democracy with their laws incorporating many aspects of their culture. Don’t expect them to have any of the virtues we define in ethics in their business or government as these facets are largely not found in their culture. They may wear a suit and tie and give themselves titles like their Western counterparts, but in their heads they are not. Iraq will never be like Germany, but they nonetheless can become a democracy in the middle of a chaotic mess still caught in the middle ages. Can I charge Backsheesh for this insight?

[Red6]

The antiwar movement did the same thing in Vietnam. They tried hard to make out the government of South Vietnam look corrupt and as if it’s not supported by its own people or just a marionette of the US.......

Like the recruiting shortfall stories, Abu Gharib, bla, bla, bla, the attempt here is to discredit the government of this nation in the eyes of the people specifically in the US.

Nonetheless, the Arab does have a very different perception of right and wrong, fairness...etc than we do. As I stated, applying Western values and standards to Iraq will always bring the desired outcome for those looking for failure in this picture. However, this does not mean that Iraq won’t succeed as a democracy/republic. Japan had a very different culture as well, and they too succeeded, also in their own way. Iraq won’t be a mirror image of the US and no one should expect that, but they very well can succeed on their journey to being a true republic, not just another tin pot Middle East regime.

[gr8eman]

SHHHHHHHH......There is corruption in Washington, D.C. and major media companies. Uncle Ted would whisper the details in your ear but hiccups might damage your eardrums.