Editor's Note: In this report, the BBC states: "The president's Democrat opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq." 

Paaleeze! Give us a break! Stop insulting our intelligence! Suddenly the Democrats have learned about the astronomical corruptions and money stolen by U.S. contractors in Iraq? suddenly they are "keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq"? Where have they been for the last 6 years other than voting for more funds for the war?

"Henry Waxman who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said: "The money that's gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, its egregious. ... It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."

Has Henry suddenly been made aware of where the money has gone - money he voted to spend? These sort of statements truly insult the taxpayer who has footed the bill and whose children will pay for the related war crimes far into the future. These people are criminals of the first order and should be prosecuted instead of permitted to live out their lives on the billions they have stolen from the working class.

- Les Blough, Editor

Waxman: "It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."

For the first time, the extent to which some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding has been researched by the BBC's Panorama using US and Iraqi government sources.

A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.

The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.

War profiteering

While George Bush remains in the White House, it is unlikely the gagging orders will be lifted.

To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.

The president's Democrat opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq.

Henry Waxman who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said: "The money that's gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, its egregious.

"It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."

In the run-up to the invasion one of the most senior officials in charge of procurement in the Pentagon objected to a contract potentially worth seven billion that was given to Halliburton, a Texan company, which used to be run by Dick Cheney before he became vice-president.

Unusually only Halliburton got to bid - and won.

Missing billions

The search for the missing billions also led the programme to a house in Acton in West London where Hazem Shalaan lived until he was appointed to the new Iraqi government as minister of defence in 2004.

Judge Radhi al Radhi: "I believe these people are criminals."

He and his associates siphoned an estimated $1.2 billion out of the ministry.

They bought old military equipment from Poland but claimed for top class weapons.

Meanwhile they diverted money into their own accounts.

Judge Radhi al-Radhi of Iraq's Commission for Public Integrity investigated.

He said: "I believe these people are criminals.

"They failed to rebuild the Ministry of Defence , and as a result the violence and the bloodshed went on and on - the murder of Iraqis and foreigners continues and they bear responsibility."

Mr Shalaan was sentenced to two jail terms but he fled the country.

He said he was innocent and that it was all a plot against him by pro-Iranian MPs in the government.

There is an Interpol arrest out for him but he is on the run - using a private jet to move around the globe.

He stills owns commercial properties in the Marble Arch area of London.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7444083.stm