" The Iraq agreement also contains numerous loopholes that could allow the continuing long-term presence of U.S. military forces and would effectively maintain U.S. jurisdiction over crimes committed by American soldiers ...Resolution 1483 noted "the establishment of the Development Fund for Iraq to be held by the Central Bank of Iraq" and that funds "shall be disbursed at the direction of the [Coalition Provisional] Authority".
The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), then headed up under Paul Bremer, proceeded to establish the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) in an account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. To get around the terms of 1483, the DFI was held on the books of the Central Bank of Iraq and a portion of the fund located in Baghdad. But the U.S. nevertheless remained in control of the money and held most of it in New York...
The fund consists of assets seized from Iraq under the regime of Saddam Hussein as well as proceeds from the export of Iraqi oil.
While 1483 stipulates that these funds should be used "to assist the people of Iraq in the reconstruction and development of their economy and to facilitate assistance by the broader donor community", the system has been plagued with charges of corruption and lack of accountability, with billions of dollars reportedly unaccounted for. Billions more have been paid out to corporations contracted by the Pentagon for ostensible reconstruction. One such corporation has been Halliburton. Vice President Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton from 1995 until 2000. "
Here are the facts, we illegally attacked and occupied a sovereign country (Iraq) in 2003 under false pretenses and then we proceeded to financially rape and pillage them and we are now about to sign off on an agreement that continues this grave injustice ~ and its principle player is the new Obama appointed Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner.
Is this change or is this back to the future and more of the same? I don't know about you ~ but I voted for change in 2009 as well as Barack Obama as an agent of that change. If that real change does not happen relatively soon ~ myself and many millions who voted for change will be immensely disappointed and angry.
Allen L Roland
http://blogs.salon.com/0002255/2008/11/24.html
Freelance Online columnist and psychotherapist Allen L Roland is available for comments, interviews, speaking engagements and private consultations ( allen@allenroland.com )
Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK
