Militia groups control reconstruction money

 

Azzaman, April 27, 2006

 

Militia groups and their factions have the final say in granting reconstruction contracts in the ministries and provinces under their sway.

 

For example, members of the militias belonging to Islamic factions snatch most of government contracts in southern provinces.

 

“Winners are not those with lower costs and better quality. If you are not a member of the group you are denied the contract,” said a contractor from Najaf who refused to have his name revealed.

 

“This is official policy. I am not revealing a secret,” he added.

 

Iraqi factions with armed militias nominate their representatives for cabinet posts and other high-ranking positions.

 

The officials holding the offices usually work to carry out their factions’ desires.

 

A contractor from the southern city of Hilla said Islamic militias from Badr organization, the largest Shiite political and military group, have Youth and Sport Ministry’s contracts for themselves.

 

“Government officials in the ministry have said the contracts will exclusively be offered to Badr members,” added the contractor.

 

The new prime minister designate, Nouri Maliki, has vowed to limit Iraqi militias’ influence and disband their armed groups.

 

But analysts say it is not easy to control the multifarious armed groups.

 

Some militias, they said, are so organized and armed that they can fight off government troops.

 

Officially, 11 militia groups operate freely in Iraq. The Kurdish north is under militias known as Peshmerga.

 

Kurdish leaders have made it clear they will resist any move to have their armed groups dissolved.