US Awards Iraq Contract To Self

Date: 06 May 2003

THE US government aid agency broke its own rules to award US terminal operator Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) a $4.8M contract to rebuild the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr over international competitors, news agency reports have revealed.

Fairplay notes the requirement for security clearance was dropped to allow SSA the contract on April 2.

"The news comes as charges of crony capitalism circulate world-wide about how the US is handling the multi-billion dollar reconstruction contracts, especially in the maritime industry," Fairplay reports.

The US-based international dredging company Great Lakes Dredge and Dock chief executive Doug Mackie referred inquiries about its $60M dredging contract at Umm Qasr to Bechtel

Corp. The Seattle-based company has subcontracted Great Lakes, as part of its own $680M contract to repair ports in addition to other government infrastructure.

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Union:	Labor Council of NSW
WWW:	http://www.mua.org.au/news/general/crony.html

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