WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- Anti-corruption efforts by the U.S. and Iraqi governments have improved since 2006, but further work on the issue remains, a report says.
In its report to the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction outlined the efforts made by the U.S. State Department and the government of Iraq in implementing anti-corruption management plans.
In July 2006 the inspector general outlined a series of recommendations to tackle corruption in Iraq and found in an April 2008 follow-up report that only two of the 12 proposals were implemented.
A strategy produced by the U.S. government in 2008 was responsive, the report said, but lacked metrics that tie strategies to progress.
"This leaves future program investments vulnerable to wasteful spending, ineffectiveness and inefficiency," the report said.
Notably, the report says, the State Department and U.S. Embassy have "not moved aggressively" in securing resources, leaving $10 million in expired reconstruction funds.
While the government of Iraq has made noted progress on addressing corruption, more could be done, the inspector general reported.
The security situation in Iraq has given Baghdad the confidence to address the issue, but "intimidation and threats" continue to thwart progress and current government "regulations continue to have a corrosive effect," the report says.
As a consequence, the inspector general recommends a lessons-learned analysis, demands further cooperation between Baghdad and Washington, and calls for a set of clear goals and objectives to make positive steps in the anti-corruption effort.
