Kuwaiti parliamentarians call for investigating Halliburton scandal ; Washington Iraqi contracts at 6 billion

An American government website said yesterday that the US opened before all countries non-construction contracts estimated at a value of 6 billion dollars for projects in Iraq, financed by American money.

However, a statement issued at the special site dedicated for construction works in Iraq explained that construction contracts will continue to be limited to countries which supported the American military efforts in Iraq.

The statement explained that companies will be invited from all countries to submit their bids for non- construction work with the exception of a contract at USD 327 million for the Iraqi army. The statement added "all countries are eligible for competition over preliminary contracts and contracts for non- construction projects at a value of 6 billion dollars." The new contracts which will be declared in the few coming months include delivery of equipment, training and other related services.

Meantime, Kuwaiti parliamentarians officially proposed the formation of a parliamentary committee which enjoys vast authorities to investigate in a contract finalized by the Kuwaiti oil company to provide the US company Halliburton with amounts of fuels for the American army in Iraq.

The Kuwaiti parliamentarians were to make investigations on whether officials at the Kuwaiti oil establishment or others illegally made profit from the deal of providing Halliburton with fuel through a Kuwaiti contractor from al-Baten (development company for trade marketing). The request of the parliamentarians, which was signed by 23 Kuwaiti parliamentarians out of 50 states called to form a five member committee "to investigate the subject of fuel sale of Halliburton and its affiliated company 'Brown and Route' and the mediating Kuwaiti company 'Development company for trade marketing'."