Posted on 01/14/2004 5:23:52 PM PST by Libloather
Former Bush aide set to inspect Iraq authority
28 minutes ago
By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington
The US Defense Department is poised to appoint Stuart Bowen, a former counsel to President George W. Bush, as the new inspector-general for the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad.
The appointment is likely to draw fire from Democrats uncomfortable with an appointment of an official who has close White House ties. Mr Bowen also held several legal positions on Mr Bush's staff when he was governor of Texas. It is understood Mr Bowen could take up the position as soon as next week.
When Congress in November approved Mr Bush's request for $87bn (£48bn) to rebuild Iraq, lawmakers insisted on the appointment of a CPA inspector-general to ensure US taxpayer money would not be wasted.
But while Democrats welcomed the move, they criticized the decision to restrict the powers of the inspector-general. At the time, Joseph Lieberman, the Connecticut senator who is seeking the Democrat presidential nomination, said the president had "tied [the inspector-general's] hands".
Hillary Clinton, a New York senator, in December described the position as a "fake inspector-general" after Democrats failed to persuade Republicans to give the official broader powers.
On Wednesday, Mrs Clinton said: "I am very concerned that this inspector general will lack the independence needed to fully monitor the way American taxpayer dollars are spent on Iraqi reconstruction...the General Accounting Office should be provided the authority to audit the process and there should be greater transparency in Iraqi reconstruction contracts. Billions are being spent and only a truly independent audit can provide the American people the accountability they deserve."
One criticism levelled at the new position is that Donald Rumsfeld, defence secretary, may terminate an investigation under certain circumstances without notifying Congress. Mr Bowen will report to Paul Bremer, civilian administrator in Iraq, and Mr Rumsfeld.
The White House was instrumental in the decision to pick Mr Bowen. In December, Paul Wolfowitz, deputy defence secretary, had approved Robert Cobb, who is currently the inspector-general at Nasa, to become the CPA inspector- general. At the last minute, however, the White House blocked his appointment, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
A senior government official said Mr Cobb had expressed concerns to the White House about the limitations that would be placed on the CPA inspector-general. Mr Cobb declined to comment. One of the issues that Mr Bowen, who is currently a Washington-based partner at the lobbying firm of Patton Boggs, is expected to have to tackle involves the awarding of licenses for mobile telephone services in Iraq. Last October, Haider al-Abadi, Iraq's communications minister, announced that three Middle Eastern companies - Orascom Iraq, Atheer and Asia Cell - had been awarded lucrative licenses to roll out mobile phone services in Iraq.
But the contracts have proved controversial following allegations of irregularities in the bidding process. In December, the Pentagon's own inspector general concluded a preliminary investigation by referring the matter to another branch of the government for full investigation. The Pentagon also referred the case to an allied government. Both the CPA and Mr Abadi have denied there were any irregularities in the bidding process.
As his presidential campaign moves into a higher gear, Mr Bush will be keen to avoid any criticism that the contracting process is tainted. The administration has been heavily criticised by Democrats for awarding no-bid contracts to Bechtel and Halliburton, the oil services company formerly run by Dick Cheney, vice president.
This really shouldn't be counted as news...
May they all rot in hell.
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