Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. Quarterly Report and Semiannual Report to the United States Congress
Abstract
2008 will be a "Year of Transfer" in Iraq, bringing the continued evolution of the U.S. program. This means that the Government of Iraq (GOI) must assert ever greater responsibility for national security and economic planning, including the full funding and sustainment of ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts. The U.S. role is supportive, aimed chiefly at capacity-building initiatives within the economic, political, and security spheres. Three issues that could affect the Year of Transfer are: (1) a potential budget windfall from higher oil prices, (2) consequences from pending legal and legislative developments regarding Iraq's governance, and (3) the continuing shift of primary provincial security responsibilities to Iraqi control. Average oil production in Iraq this quarter hit a post-war high of 2.38 million barrels per day. Section 3 of this Report contains summaries of SIGIR's seven new audit products, two of which continued SIGIR's programmatic review of major Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) contracts. SIGIR inspection teams assessed and reported on six projects this quarter. SIGIR's investigators continue to make progress on 56 open investigations, 36 of which have been referred to the Department of Justice. To date, SIGIR cases have produced 14 arrests, 14 indictments, 5 convictions, 5 imprisonments, and $17.2 million in court-ordered restitutions, forfeitures, and recoveries. Congress approved the National Defense Authorization Act, providing SIGIR with expanded oversight jurisdiction and an extended life span. In light of this expanded jurisdiction and tenure, SIGIR is entering a new phase of strategic planning for its oversight mission. The Iraq Security Forces Fund (ISFF) is the focus of new congressional appropriations for Iraq; therefore, SIGIR will continue to expand its review of this large fund. The new legislation also calls for increased coordination and cooperation among the oversight entities reviewing spending in Iraq.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 30, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA489097
Entities
People
- Stuart W. Bowen Jr.
Organizations
- Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction