[McGavin999]

Two billion of the money earmarked for Iraq has been spent on contracts that have already been let. The remainder is in the process of bid analysis. Prior to reconstruction, engineering, surveying, ordering equipment must take place prior to ground even being broken. In the US, an new electric plant can take a minimum of 6 months before the first shovel full of dirt is moved. In Iraq it would be even more since local engineers etc. are being utilized. The US is attempting to use as many of the Iraqi people as possible in these projects.

The US has spent ZERO Iraqi dollars on any of their earmarked projects. The Interim Government has had access to those funds since they were turned over on 6/28. The UN refused to release the funds until the audit was complete. All this could be found on the CPA website during the occupation phase. It ended on 6/28 and the CPA left Iraq.

[liberallarry]

Two billion of the money earmarked for Iraq has been spent on contracts that have already been let. The remainder is in the process of bid analysis

Would you post a link please? I'd very much like to read this stuff.

Prior to reconstruction, engineering, surveying, ordering equipment must take place prior to ground even being broken

Krugman is knowledgeable. He knows this. But he is capable of referring to only those sources which confirm his bias...and of drawing conclusions well beyond what the facts warrant. I've seen him do both.

The US has spent ZERO Iraqi dollars on any of their earmarked projects.

That would mean that Krugman is flat-out wrong in his assertion that the Provisional Authority has been spending Iraqi oil monies. I find that difficult to believe. There must be more to it.

[gov_bean_ counter]

The US has spent ZERO Iraqi dollars on any of their earmarked projects.

And they can't if they ever want to use any congressionally appropriated funds on the same project. To do so would be augmenting the appropriation and a clear violation of federal appropriations law.

[liberallarry]

$1.9 Billion of Iraq's Money Goes to U.S. Contractors

Thought you might like to see this.