42nd-delay
11-05-2003, 10:21 AM
Another story seems to fall through the cracks...
Study of Iraq Bill Reveals Overcharging
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration's Iraq reconstruction plan appears to overcharge taxpayers some $200 million for the purchase and importation of petroleum products, according to a congressional report obtained Thursday.
The legislation seeks $900.6 million for specified amounts of liquefied petroleum gas (propane), gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel during the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The products could be bought and delivered for $704 million, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service reported.
``If the request is only for commodity fuel purchase at spot market prices, it would seem that the CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) is asking for substantially more money than is called for by current fuel prices in the Persian Gulf trading area,'' the CRS said in the report obtained by The Associated Press.
The report, prepared for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said the amount of the apparent overcharge could jump from $197 million to $249 million if another country donates fuel to Iraq.
Houston-based Halliburton is the government's sole contractor working in Iraq to restore the country's petroleum industry and to import petroleum products while the system is being repaired.
Rest of the article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3273800,00.html)
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"42nd-delay is the only person who's making sense." - Ron, 3-12-02
Study of Iraq Bill Reveals Overcharging
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration's Iraq reconstruction plan appears to overcharge taxpayers some $200 million for the purchase and importation of petroleum products, according to a congressional report obtained Thursday.
The legislation seeks $900.6 million for specified amounts of liquefied petroleum gas (propane), gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel during the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. The products could be bought and delivered for $704 million, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service reported.
``If the request is only for commodity fuel purchase at spot market prices, it would seem that the CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) is asking for substantially more money than is called for by current fuel prices in the Persian Gulf trading area,'' the CRS said in the report obtained by The Associated Press.
The report, prepared for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said the amount of the apparent overcharge could jump from $197 million to $249 million if another country donates fuel to Iraq.
Houston-based Halliburton is the government's sole contractor working in Iraq to restore the country's petroleum industry and to import petroleum products while the system is being repaired.
Rest of the article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3273800,00.html)
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"42nd-delay is the only person who's making sense." - Ron, 3-12-02