A new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, an investigative arm of Congress, found that Iraq has a budget surplus of $51 billion, with $11.8 billion that is readily available for spending on its security forces.
"Billions of dollars that Iraq has budgeted for security have gone unused. As U.S. troops withdraw, the Iraqi government must take a larger role in providing security throughout the country," the report said.
The Pentagon contested the findings, saying that the dollar figures were incorrect and that Iraq needed its cash reserves to meet expected budget deficits.
MURKY FUTURE FOR KABUL BANK
The run on deposits at the troubled Kabul Bank slowed after a long religious holiday, but Afghan financial officials said they foresaw further problems for the nation's largest bank. Leading the list: Possible prosecutions of bank officials who were in charge until two weeks ago.
NEWS SERVICES
