GOI PUBLICIZES U.S.CORRUPTION CONVICTIONS

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000393 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KCOR KDEM PREL IZ SUBJECT: GOI PUBLICIZES U.S.CORRUPTION CONVICTIONS REF: BAGHDAD 329 ROSTER OF U.S. OFFICIALS CONVICTED OF CORRUPTION -------------- -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In A recent meeting with Council of Ministers Secretary General Ali Alaq, Anti-Corruption Coordinator (ACC) provided a list of American citizens, official and private, convicted in U.S. courts in recent years on corruption charges in connection with U.S. reconstruction projects in Iraq. The list, which provided details on the nature of the charges, date of conviction, and sentence meted out in each case, was issued as a public document by the Office of the Special Inspector for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR). The GOI official agreed that SIGIR's list of convictions was clear evidence that the U.S. matched its words with deeds regarding the importance of bringing to account officials and others engaged in corrupt practices. GOI PUBLICIZES THE LIST -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Subsequently, on February 10, the GOI issued a press statement on the Alaq/ACC meeting, noting, in a reference to the list, that ACC had informed the GOI of "a number of corruption cases discovered by the American side relating to elements from the U.S. military and its contractors and the measures taken against them." COMMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) As in past meetings with GOI officials (e.g., per reftel),Secretary General Ali Alaq expressed his appreciation for this information, and the GOI's decision to publicize it is noteworthy. We regard SIGIR's list of U.S. convictions as a useful tool in our efforts to counter any impression among Iraqis that the USG urges them to act against those involved in corrupt practices but ignores abuses by American citizens and firms. END COMMENT. BUTENIS