ZIP Codes for Iraq!

[Theophylact]

...among other things.

[shahani]

Hmmmm.....Wonder is Halliburton/Brown & Roots are into supplying Fire engines and postal machinery/equipment.

Wheels within wheels.

[Target]

Perhaps the zip code for Baghdad should be 5..4..3..2..1

The proposal was part of the $87 billion plan that President Bush sent Congress on Sept. 7 for Iraq and Afghanistan. The biggest piece of that package was $66 billion to finance U.S. military operations in both countries and elsewhere.

Nice how GW used Iraq and Afghanistan rebuilding to sneak in some military funding for operations "elsewhere".

[vass0922]

I thought Iraq was rich with oil?
Why is this coming out of our pockets?!!?

I understand funding the military parts, but rebuilding firehouses?!
I know they have to work to get the oil fields back up to 100% production but thats ludicrous.

although granted thats the small part of the bill

[shahani]

No, all expenditure will eventually be paid for by Iraq. The way these things work is that they track all these expenses through an international financial institution like World bank or IMF.

The initial funding may very well come from the US Government but eventually it will all be reimbursed. In such situations, even the peacekeeping forces may be paid for by Iraq.

This is the reason certain "connected" companies will benefit immensely. Were this procedure not followed, and reconstruction left to Iraq, the lucrative contracts may not go to US Companies.

It is with this background that Dick Cheney has been criticized even on 60 Minutes.