WASHINGTON - The U.S. occupation authority in Iraq cannot account for 9 billion dollars transferred to Iraqi government ministries according to a recent audit. It is reported that the ministries lacked the ability or security to manage the funds.
This information was reported by Stuart Bowen Jr., special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction. The ministries receiving the funds lacked financial controls, security, communications and adequate staff necessary to provide accountability.
Paul Bremer III, responded by saying that the report was inaccurate, adding that the report "assumes that Western-style budgeting and accounting procedures could be immediately and fully implemented in the midst of a war."
