Saturday, January 01, 2005

IAMB summary report

The most recent report of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board of the Development Fund for Iraq summarises all findings from the establishment of the DFI to the dissolution of the CPA (28 June 2004). It is largely a rehash of previous reports, however it provides some important information on future directions concerning the sole-source contracting and transparency with the CPA's management of the DFI. A summary of the report, with emphasis on sole-source contracting and lack of transparency, follows:
  • March 2004: Recommendations from IAMB include a special audit of sole-source contracts to check the management of the DFI by the CPA against UNSCR 1483. KPMG is appointed as an independent auditor.
  • April 2004: IAMB repeatedly requests information about sole-source contracts from the CPA. Specifically, the IAMB requests access to audits conducted by the DCAA concerning sole-source contracts.
  • June 2004: In light of delays obtaining sole-source contract information from the CPA, a special audit is called.
  • July 2004: KPMG presents their first report, covering up until 31 December 2003. Sole-source contracts and lack of transparency in the contracting process is noted in the KPMG audit. (See previous blog entries.)
  • October 2004:
    1. KPMG presents their second report, covering up until 28 June 2004. (See previous blog entries.)
    2. IAMB finally receives (censored) DCAA audits.
    3. A meeting is held, and the US Dept of Defense representative convinces the IAMB to allow the US Government to commision the special audit. The special audit will (1) Determine the extent of sole-sourced contracts using DFI resources, (2) Summarise the findings of audits that have already been conducted by various US agencies, and (3) Determine whether any such contracts have not been the subject of audits.
I might just add that under the IAMB Terms of Reference Section 3.F, the IAMB has the right to review all financial and other records, including those of external auditors, where needed to fulfill its functions. Let's hope getting to those additional audits will not be as time-consuming as dealing with the DCAA has proved to be.

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