Baghdad – conscious
Today, Sunday, the Integrity Commission called on the US Treasury to help it trace Iraqi funds during the era of the previous regime.
An Integrity statement received by the (INA) stated, “The head of the Integrity Commission, Judge Haider Hanoun, and his accompanying delegation met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury (Jesse Baker), to discuss the possibility of concluding a memorandum of understanding between the Iraq Assets Recovery Fund and the US Treasury.”
During the meeting that took place at the US Treasury headquarters, Hanoun stressed “Iraq’s need for Treasury assistance, in order to determine the fate of Iraqi funds before 2003, linked to the era of the previous regime, its symbols and front companies,” pointing out that “concluding an understanding agreement between the two parties will facilitate this and remove Obstacles and barriers, if any.
He added, “Negotiating with the cronies of the former regime will be followed by the need to lift the seizure of the funds recovered from the American side,” praising “the speed of the American side’s response in this regard and its pledge to fully cooperate and as permitted by the laws.”
For his part, (Jesse Baker) praised “the cooperation between the US Treasury and the Central Bank, pledging also to cooperate with the Iraq Money Recovery Fund in tracking its money during the era of the previous regime, in addition to its cooperation with the Central Bank to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, which requires concerted efforts to confront these crimes.” And combat its advanced methods.”
It is noteworthy that the Iraq Money Recovery Fund, which was established pursuant to Law No. (9 of 2012) (amended), aims to recover the financial rights of Iraq that were obtained by others illegally, as a result of the misuse of the oil-for-food program, the blockade, smuggling, or economic sabotage. Or exploiting the sanctions imposed on Iraq at the time, to achieve financial gains at the expense of the Iraqi people.