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
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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
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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
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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