http://www.iraqoilreport.com/2008/03/20/a-look-into-shell-and-other-oil-firms-angling-into-iraqi-oil-and-gas-deals/ Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:27:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 http://www.iraqoilreport.com/2008/03/20/a-look-into-shell-and-other-oil-firms-angling-into-iraqi-oil-and-gas-deals/#comment-152 Vance Jochim Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:19:19 +0000 http://iraqoilreport.com/2008/03/20/a-look-into-shell-and-other-oil-firms-angling-into-iraqi-oil-and-gas-deals/#comment-152 I helped set up the Iraqi Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) when Judge Radhi was there. I couldn't help noticing that the same week as the Conde Nast Portfolio article, the UN had an anti-corruption conference in Baghdad. I read through the UN's press release and the opening speech and the UN is now proposing to do all the things we tried to do in CPI, including trying to get Iraq to sign the UN's Convention on Corruption. Unless the UN comes up with some extreme sanctions or lots of money, I don't see any improvement is possible compared to what CPI was able to start... the government is too fragmented and neither the State Dept. or UN seem to have the clout or will to get the Iraqis to seriously stop corruption. Thus, why does anyone give Iraq ANY money or aid when they refuse to clean up the corruption in a way that can be independently verified? Maybe actually let CPI finalize the 2000 plus pending corruption cases sitting in the courts? Vance Jochim www.FiscalRangers.com - one blog is on Corruption in Iraq. I helped set up the Iraqi Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) when Judge Radhi was there. I couldn’t help noticing that the same week as the Conde Nast Portfolio article, the UN had an anti-corruption conference in Baghdad. I read through the UN’s press release and the opening speech and the UN is now proposing to do all the things we tried to do in CPI, including trying to get Iraq to sign the UN’s Convention on Corruption. Unless the UN comes up with some extreme sanctions or lots of money, I don’t see any improvement is possible compared to what CPI was able to start… the government is too fragmented and neither the State Dept. or UN seem to have the clout or will to get the Iraqis to seriously stop corruption. Thus, why does anyone give Iraq ANY money or aid when they refuse to clean up the corruption in a way that can be independently verified? Maybe actually let CPI finalize the 2000 plus pending corruption cases sitting in the courts?
Vance Jochim
http://www.FiscalRangers.com - one blog is on Corruption in Iraq.

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