If They Would Just Steal 90%!

If They Would Just Steal 90%!

Baghdad, Iraq

Exasperated, the Iraqi Government Minister let it all hang out.

“If they would just steal 90% of the funds from our ministry, I could get something done with even 10%. The problem is that they steal all of it.”

As shocking as it may sound, the comment is heard often in Baghdad as Government Ministries are systematically looted for political as well as personal reasons.

“If there is one greatest need in Iraq today it is simple governance” says one expert like so many others who does not want to be identified.

“To go from the Saddam Hussein Regime to running a normal Government is too much to expect from those with little experience. Iraq is doing significantly better in every field and many are encouraged with the progress. The real problem lies in the ability to handle and manage funds appropriately. This is the reason for the frustration of the Iraqi people as they do not see the practical changes in their lives that they should as the funds destined to make their lives better are systematically siphoned off.”

The system works in many ways, but what the minister was referring to is generally believed in Iraqi Society as they see even the most basic symbols not being taken care of.

The Parliament Building is not clean, the internet usually does not work and funds clearly are not being spent on its upkeep. Obviously whatever budget is set aside for these purposes is not being spent.

According to Falah Saeed “It is very simple. The company that is hired to do the internet is a friend of whoever hired them. They get paid, but they don’t do the work. That is the picture with the whole of the Parliament and all the other ministries. This reason we are not making progress. We have the money. We have the needs. The Thieves are taking it all.”

Across the street, the country’s premier Hotel, the Al Rasheed is in a terrible state of disrepair.
The Swedish Company that built it has offered twice to completely repair and refurbish it to at cost, but twice has been rebuffed by the Iraqi Government who apparently doesn’t want to spend even the cost of materials.

Akeel Abdul Wahab, one of the Managers says “When the hotel was built is was the premier hotel in the Middle East.

Now the toilets don’t work. The doors don’t open.

The hotel is in a general state of disrepair and even when the company that made it offers to fix it they will not do it. We are becoming a nation ruled by thieves.”

Funds that are supposed to go to various ministry activities, as the Minister pointed out are being diverted from Government in massive amounts according to government insiders.

A classic example is the monthly salaries of security guards around just one of the Government Offices.

They are all from the hometown of the particular minister and whereas they should be making somewhere in the area of $100 - $200 a month, are being paid according to their own words up to $1,300 a month – clearly a dramatic diversion of funds from a ministry.
Minorities including Heidi’s, Assyrian Christians, Sabeans, Manacheansns and others are cut out of the extremely partisan nature of the various ministries, preferring to go it on their own with their traditional hard work, good education and international connections.

Many though are throwing in the towel at the extreme ideology and tribal connections that are needed to go forward.

Who is at fault?

“This is a tough question” the expert continues. “with no experience in managing budgets, managing programs and basic finance, the international community and the US in particular need to be responsible for their investments in Iraq. They need to have experts in each ministry carefully monitoring the movement of funds, if for no other reason than the extreme danger of these funds going out to other purposes that can harm security.”

While security has improved dramatically the situation in Iraq is tentative at best simply because with the massive diversion of funds from Government funds for basic services are not being spent and the people are growing tired of doing without.

The Minister concludes “With just 10% of the budget I could do at least some programs and let the people see some progress. I am doing all my best to see if they can just leave a little in the budget.”

“Standing up the Iraqis” is a common theme in Iraq these days, but not matter how much “standing up” is done, if those in place are not ready it will not work.

Expertise is still needed to keep Iraq from sliding back from the tentative victories she now enjoys into the status of a failed state.

“Nobody would turn the keys to a brand new car over to a child just learning to drive.”

“They need to sit in the learner’s seat for a few more years until they can drive. The enthusiasm to get them driving is understandable, but a child is a child and no amount of coaxing or pushing will change that simple fact.” He concludes

For the Americans in particular they need to slow down, think and remember that when the child they launch in his brand new BMW crashes they will have to come back again -better to be patient until his feet touch the seat and even then sit in the next seat as they do in Japan, Korea, Germany and so many other countries.”

Back in Iraq, the Minister just wants 10% of the budget so just some of the programs can get going!

Nabil Amad