PayPal-ing the War

By Bill Berkowitz, AlterNet. Posted September 22, 2005.

The nearly $200 billion that American taxpayers have already ponied up for the war in Iraq -- including $30 billion earmarked specifically for reconstruction projects (more than $28 billion higher than Team Bush originally projected) -- is apparently not enough to get the job done. Now, the brain trust running the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has come up with a new fundraising plan that asks the American public to dig a little deeper into their pockets in order to help rebuild Iraq.

In cooperation with a company called GlobalGiving, USAID recently launched IraqPartnership.org. The web site was introduced to the public during a recent speech by USAID's Andrew Natsios at a meeting of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.

In early September, the Los Angeles Times reported that the deteriorating situation on the ground in Iraq has forced the U.S. to divert money, originally earmarked for construction of some water and power plants in Iraq, to security projects: "Security costs have cut into the money available to complete some major infrastructure projects. ... As a result, the United States is funding only those projects deemed essential by the Iraqi government."

The heavy price paid to secure the country is not the only financial issue in Iraq that is raising eyebrows these days: According to recent reports, $1 billion was stolen from Iraq's defense ministry, money that was intended to train and equip Iraqi troops for the fight against the insurgency. In addition, another $500 to $600 million disappeared from the electricity, transport, interior and other ministries, Iraq's Finance Minister Ali Allawi told London paper The Independent.

The missing "Benjamins" and misspent treasure have apparently forced the admninistration to come up with an alternative fundraising scheme for rebuilding Iraq. "IraqPartnership.org demonstrates the proud American tradition of private citizens working in partnership with government," said Natsios. "At the President's direction USAID will work even harder to engage the private sector to help Iraqis create an environment where democracy and economic opportunity can take root and grow."

IraqPartnership.org is a cooperative endeavor between USAID and GlobalGiving, a leader in online philanthropy; USAID provides the content for the web site, and GlobalGiving supplies "their internet-based donation technology," a September 9 USAID press release pointed out.

Visitors to IraqPartnership.org can check out a selection of current USAID Iraq projects, including providing water pumps to Iraqi farmers, supplying desks, blackboards and school supplies to schools, buying computers and other teaching aids for regional business improvement centers, and contributing to a work program that builds ramps and improves access for handicapped individuals at priority government locations.

With a click of the mouse, contributors choose the projects they are interested in supporting. According to the USAID press release, "All projects have been carefully selected from USAID/Iraq's current mission portfolio allowing donors to confidently and securely donate to projects in Iraq. This transparent, direct connection between 'citizen donors' and project leaders, democratizes the practice of development and gives Americans a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq." USAID assures donors that "additional projects and resources will be added in the coming months."

Bill Berkowitz is a freelance writer covering right-wing groups and movements.

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