That's right. The Bu$h administration is importing oil INTO Iraq, one of
the world's most oil-rich countries. That's simply brilliant, I think it
deserves a Nobel prize. Btw, that's your tax $$$ they're lighting
Cheney's Cuban cigars with right now...

Halliburton's Iraq deal rises to $1.4B
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON -- The value of Halliburton Co.'s contract to restore Iraq's
oilfields has risen to $1.4 billion, according to government data posted
Wednesday.

The latest increase, a jump from the $1.25 billion figure posted two
weeks ago, reflects higher costs for damage assessments and repairs.

The value of the task order for that work has risen to $769 million from
$320 million as of Sept. 8.

***The other leading high-cost item is importing fuel needed for domestic
Iraqi uses.***

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has said the costs are unavoidable
because looting and sabotage have delayed efforts to get Iraq's oil
production up to prewar levels.

The higher figures come as congressional Democrats step up criticism of
the Bush administration's oversight of big contracts to rebuild Iraq.

On Tuesday, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., released a letter charging the
Bush administration with "gold plating" the contracts by not assigning
more work to Iraqi businesses, which say they can do the work more
cheaply.

Spokesman Trent Duffy of the Office of Management and Budget said there
are controls in place to check spending.

In recent weeks, Democrats have escalated attacks on the Halliburton oil
contract, which wasn't competitively bid. Vice President Cheney was the
chief executive of Halliburton before taking office.

After several delays, the Corps is now reviewing bids for a replacement
contract that could be awarded this month.


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