Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Times
June 21, 2008
Pg. 9
Police chief and mayor of Hit linked to oil smuggling ring
By Chelsea J. Carter, Associated Press
FALLUJAH, Iraq--U.S.-funded reconstruction in a one-time Sunni insurgent stronghold has been suspended because of a corruption probe, including allegations that the mayor and police chief were involved in a multimillion-dollar oil smuggling ring, the Associated Press has learned.
The problems in Hit, a dusty, ramshackle western town along the Euphrates River, provide a glimpse of the challenges in rebuilding a country where years of war and misrule have destroyed the social fabric.
Reconstruction is a key part of the U.S. military strategy against both Sunni and Shi'ite extremists, but many projects have long been dogged by mismanagement and allegations of corruption.
The U.S. government suspended its efforts in Hit this month after the police chief, Col. Salah Rasheed al-Gaoud, was fired for his suspected role in the scheme, U.S. and Iraqi officials familiar with the investigation said.
Officials also confirmed that the mayor, Hikmat Jubair al-Gaoud, was under investigation. Marine Lt. Col. Chris Hughes, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Anbar province, said the mayor's current whereabouts were unknown and that it was not clear whether he fled the country.
But a man identifying himself as the mayor said when contacted Mr. al-Gaoud's mobile phone that he was still in Hit and "still in my job as the mayor."
"There is a committee that is investigating the case of stealing oil and its work has not finished yet," he said Thursday.
Among the reconstruction projects that have been suspended are repairs to the town's dilapidated infrastructure, including street repairs, sewerage upgrade and school construction.
U.S. military officials said reconstruction projects in Hit would remain on hold during the investigation, which Iraqis said was being conducted by the Ministry of Interior.
"Since the mayor and the chief of police are under investigation for corruption, we have stopped all reconstruction efforts in Hit until the investigation is resolved," said Mike Isho, the Arabic public affairs officer for Multi-National Forces-West.
"Since there is nobody to lead the city, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to continue these projects," Mr. Isho said. Caught in the middle are the 120,000 residents of Hit, located in Anbar province 85 miles west of Baghdad.
Last month, Democratic Sens. Bryon L. Dorgan of North Dakota and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island asked the Treasury Department to investigate whether Iraqi officials have embezzled or misspent billions of U.S. tax dollars intended for the country's reconstruction.
June 21, 2008
Pg. 9
Police chief and mayor of Hit linked to oil smuggling ring
By Chelsea J. Carter, Associated Press
FALLUJAH, Iraq--U.S.-funded reconstruction in a one-time Sunni insurgent stronghold has been suspended because of a corruption probe, including allegations that the mayor and police chief were involved in a multimillion-dollar oil smuggling ring, the Associated Press has learned.
The problems in Hit, a dusty, ramshackle western town along the Euphrates River, provide a glimpse of the challenges in rebuilding a country where years of war and misrule have destroyed the social fabric.
Reconstruction is a key part of the U.S. military strategy against both Sunni and Shi'ite extremists, but many projects have long been dogged by mismanagement and allegations of corruption.
The U.S. government suspended its efforts in Hit this month after the police chief, Col. Salah Rasheed al-Gaoud, was fired for his suspected role in the scheme, U.S. and Iraqi officials familiar with the investigation said.
Officials also confirmed that the mayor, Hikmat Jubair al-Gaoud, was under investigation. Marine Lt. Col. Chris Hughes, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Anbar province, said the mayor's current whereabouts were unknown and that it was not clear whether he fled the country.
But a man identifying himself as the mayor said when contacted Mr. al-Gaoud's mobile phone that he was still in Hit and "still in my job as the mayor."
"There is a committee that is investigating the case of stealing oil and its work has not finished yet," he said Thursday.
Among the reconstruction projects that have been suspended are repairs to the town's dilapidated infrastructure, including street repairs, sewerage upgrade and school construction.
U.S. military officials said reconstruction projects in Hit would remain on hold during the investigation, which Iraqis said was being conducted by the Ministry of Interior.
"Since the mayor and the chief of police are under investigation for corruption, we have stopped all reconstruction efforts in Hit until the investigation is resolved," said Mike Isho, the Arabic public affairs officer for Multi-National Forces-West.
"Since there is nobody to lead the city, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to continue these projects," Mr. Isho said. Caught in the middle are the 120,000 residents of Hit, located in Anbar province 85 miles west of Baghdad.
Last month, Democratic Sens. Bryon L. Dorgan of North Dakota and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island asked the Treasury Department to investigate whether Iraqi officials have embezzled or misspent billions of U.S. tax dollars intended for the country's reconstruction.