Cut funds to Iraq, GOP candidates say

By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 6, 2008 at 1:10 p.m.
Updated August 6, 2008 at 11:23 p.m.

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The U.S. should cut reconstruction funds to Iraq after a report that the oil-rich nation is building huge cash surpluses, candidates in Colorado's 6th Congressional District said Wednesday.

The U.S. General Accounting Office found the Iraqi government could end 2008 with a budget surplus of $38.2 billion to $50.3 billion thanks largely to the price of oil. Surpluses between 2005 and 2007 came to $29 million.

Meanwhile, the United States has spent about $32 billion on infrastructure projects such as bridges and power plants in Iraq.

Secretary of State Mike Coffman, one of four seeking the GOP nomination, said it's "crazy" for Americans to pay for Iraqi infrastructure when the U.S. government is running deficits.

"Right now, we're struggling to maintain our infrastructure," Coffman said.

Coffman said his position applies only to funding for reconstruction, not to funding of U.S. troops in Iraq.

State Sen. Steve Ward, R-Littleton, agreed diplomatic pressure should be brought on the Iraqis to pay for their own projects.

"You need to force their hand," Ward said.

Coffman and Ward both served with the U.S. Marines in Iraq.

Ward, who was there more recently, said the problem of Iraqi surpluses was widely known. The Iraqis have begun picking up the tab for most infrastructure projects, although the remaining amount is huge.

Ward said the U.S. and Iraq are engaged in "a game of chicken" over funding. Some Iraqis believe if they don't pay for projects, the Americans will.

In addition to infrastructure projects, Ward would insist the Iraqis pay for their own troop training.

State Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, said, "We shouldn't be spending money on their infrastructure when they have the resources to do so." The Iraqis have the cash reserves only because the U.S. restored their oil capacity, Harvey said.

In a written statement, businessman Wil Armstrong, who is also seeking the nomination, said, "I have said repeatedly on the campaign trail that Iraq needs to start effectively using its nearly $60 billion in oil revenues on deposit to fund the government, build infrastructure, then distribute the excess to the Iraqi people so that they are more invested in the success of their country."

• August 6, 2008

  3:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Fireball writes:

  Steve Ward is the only candidate with expertise on this subject. I attended a "town meeting" where he openly discussed his experiences (multiple), current problems and solutions along with Democrat Joe Rice. If our Republican, Steve Ward, and Democrat, Joe Rice, could get together on all the issues, we would have sound non-partisan solutions to numerous problems. I totally support Steve Ward in this election but fear that his big spending opponents will prevail.

• August 6, 2008

  3:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  heraldmage writes:

  Why should Iraq pay for what the US destroyed?

  There is that old adage you brake it you bought it. Well we broke it.

  We need to broker a new treaty with Iraq. One that withdraws all troops and private contractors immediately. That spells out exactly how much the US and other countries will pay for war reparations.

  Then withdraw not to return unless invited. That includes giving back the massive country club embassy and military bases.

  Once the dust settles and a new Iraq government is in place they may invite the US back or not, but it is their choice. As is how they spend their money and who they decide they want to contract for the reconstruction and oil distribution.

  The USA and it's allies were in the wrong now the people have to paid while all the rich Bush supporters laugh all the way to the bank. They got us good. But what they did with our consent to Iraq was far worse.

• August 6, 2008

  5:36 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  HopiMedicineMan writes:

  Bush promised Iraqi oil would pay for the war. Doesn't look like that's going to occur. His memoirs will be a long list of excuses.

• August 6, 2008

  9:39 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  NotSoros writes:

  Perhaps a reminder of what past leaders have said:
  Re-evaluating Weapons of Mass Destruction

  "One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line." - President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998

  "If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program." - President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998

  "Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face." -Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998

  "He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983."
  -Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998

• August 6, 2008

  9:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  NotSoros writes:

  And a little more:
  "[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." -Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998

  "Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." - Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998

  "Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies." -Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999

  "There is no doubt that ... Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." - Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL,) and others, December 5, 2001

  "We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandated of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them." - Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002

  "We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

  "Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

  "We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." - Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

  "The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..." - Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002

• August 6, 2008

  9:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  NotSoros writes:

  Just when you think that is all:

  "I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force-- if necessary-- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002

  "There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years . We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." - Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002

  "He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do".
  - Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002

  "In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members . It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons." - Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002

  "We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." - Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002

  "Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime .... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction . So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real." - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003

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