« previous | MUCK HOME | next »
Maliki Ordered Personal Approval of Gov't Corruption Probes
Condoleezza Rice took pains to insist today that the U.S. "would not support a policy that would prevent investigations" in Iraq of government officials for corruption charges. But she repeatedly demurred from passing judgment on a decree signed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office manager, which was provided to the House oversight committee by former top corruption judge Radhi Hamza al-Radhi. In that document, Maliki informs corruption judges that his approval is required before bringing charges against practically any senior government official. Here's the document (pdf), signed April 1, 2007:
Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you!It has been decided not to refer any of the following parties to the court until approval of His Excellency, the Prime Minister, is obtained:
1. Presidential Office
2. Council of Ministers
3. Current and Previous MinistersWith appreciation
Signed by
Dr. Tariq Najim Abdullah
Prime Minister's Office Manager
At a few moments during the hearing, both Rice and ranking Republican Tom Davis (R-VA) suggested that maybe Maliki was trying to referee a bureaucratic dispute between Iraq's numerous anti-corruption agencies. Hands-on management style and all that. That still wouldn't explain all the murder and torture of corruption judges, but otherwise, the explanation is perfectly sound.
Comments (11)
v. popvli wrote on October 25, 2007 4:01 PM:big brother: "there is no corruption in iraq."
Incompetence Incarnate wrote on October 25, 2007 4:34 PM:big brother: "pursuit of corruption charges must be approved by big brother before referral to court."
big brother: "since there is no corruption in iraq, big brother will not approve the pursuit of corruption charges."
big brother: "iraqi courts constitute a competent institution for the provision of justice."
big brother: "iraqi courts have not heard a single corruption case to date."
big brother: "therefore, there is no corruption in iraq."
"See, we have to keep our blunders secret, because we've filled so many slots with bozos, with young people right out of bible school, who've pledged allegiance to bush. And we did that so a small cadre of us could help our cronies. And it took all those bozos to help us do that. But in the process the bozos messed things up. And it's all top secret. We have to keep those secrets secret, see. Oversight is one thing. And secrets are another. See?"
Anonymous wrote on October 25, 2007 4:47 PM:Maybe it was an April Fools' joke?
judyinnm wrote on October 25, 2007 4:57 PM:We lead by example.
Maliki has Bush's style down, pat. Now, the congressional Democrats can tutor the investigators in the fine art of writing stern letters....
chisholm wrote on October 25, 2007 6:04 PM:The only thing we're missing is a Madame Nu.
chisholm wrote on October 25, 2007 6:05 PM:The only thing we're missing is a Madame Nu.
citizenstx wrote on October 25, 2007 6:26 PM:Retroactive immunity for Maliki cronies! Just like Bush and the telecoms.
mbbsdphil wrote on October 25, 2007 7:56 PM:Let me get this straight. The Bush administration is qualifying a relationship with another country's government on its responsibly dealing with corruption? Well, Bush's staff could teach another bureaucracy about how to corrupt, but how to fight corruption? Uh, not so much.
Jazgar wrote on October 25, 2007 8:08 PM:Rice: But you don't understand, IOKIOGDI!
Scott L wrote on October 25, 2007 8:39 PM:(It's okay if OUR guys do it!)
What makes you think it is a blunder. All that cash and no oversight- everyone gets a bite.
moondancer wrote on October 26, 2007 9:49 AM:Takes a page out of the Bush/Rove playbook, and gets criticized. Whats a crook to do?