Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 28. Mars 2006 / Time Line March 28, 2006
Version 3.503/28/2006
New Images Illustrate U.S. Overhead Reconnaissance
Targeting of Allied and Adversary Nuclear Facilities
EYES ON THE BOMB
U-2, CORONA, and KH-7 Imagery of Foreign Nuclear Installations
National Security Archive Update
Washington, D.C., 28 March 2006 - The Central Intelligence Agency
and National Reconnaissance Office used the nation's spy satellites
and spy planes to obtain high-resolution images of the nuclear
facilities of allies, adversaries and neutral nations alike, as
illustrated in a collection of overhead reconnaissance images
posted on the Web today by the National Security Archive.
Today's posting includes 15 photographs and five photographic
interpretation reports from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The images
were obtained by U-2 spy planes and CORONA and KH-7 reconnaissance
satellites. The interpretation reports were produced by the CIA's
Photographic Intelligence Center as well as its Imagery Analysis
Division and the National Photographic Interpretation Center.
All but two of the images were obtained for use in the book, Spying
on the Bomb: American Nuclear Intelligence from Nazi Germany to
Iran and North Korea (W.W. Norton, 2006), by Archive Senior Fellow
Jeffrey T. Richelson. Two additional images were obtained
exclusively for this briefing book. All the photos were located and
extracted from the extensive collections of U-2 and satellite
imagery in the National Archives by Tim Brown of
Talent-Keyhole.com. Many had never been extracted from the
Archives' holdings before -- including overhead images of French
and Indian nuclear facilities.
The images and photographic interpretation reports illustrate the
variety of nuclear installations targeted by these programs --
ranging from uranium mining facilities to nuclear tests sites and
the installations used to convert the mined material into testable
weapons -- as well as the growing capabilities U.S. overhead
reconnaissance systems.
03/28/2006
Iraq Reconstruction
Halliburton's Performance Worsens under Second Iraqi Oil
Contract
http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1032
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 -- Rep. Waxman releases the first analysis
of Halliburton's RIO 2 contract to restore Iraq's southern oil
fields. The examination of previously undisclosed correspondence,
evaluations, and audits reveals that government officials and
investigators have harshly criticized Halliburton's performance
under RIO 2. The documents disclose an "overwhelmingly negative"
performance, including:
Intentional Overcharging: Halliburton repeatedly overcharged the
taxpayer, apparently intentionally. In one case, "[c]ost estimates
had hidden rate factors to increase cost of project without
informing the Government." In another instance, Halliburton "tried
to inflate cost estimate by $26M." In a third example, Halliburton
claimed costs for laying concrete pads and footings that the Iraqi
Oil Ministry had "already put in place." Exorbitant Costs:
Halliburton was "accruing exorbitant indirect costs at a rapid
rate." Government officials concluded that Halliburton's "lack of
cost containment and funds management is the single biggest
detriment to this program." They found a "lack of cost control . in
Houston, Kuwait, and Iraq." In a partial review of the RIO 2
contract, DCAA auditors challenged $45 million in costs as
unreasonable or unsupported.
Inadequate Cost Reporting: Halliburton "universally failed to
provide adequate cost information," had "profound systemic
problems," provided "substandard" cost reports that did "not meet
minimum standards," and submitted reports that had been "vetted of
any information that would allow tracking of details." Halliburton
produced "unacceptable unchecked cost reports."
Schedule Delays: Halliburton's work under RIO 2 was continually
plagued by delays. Halliburton had a "50% late completion" rate for
RIO 2 projects. Evaluations noted "untimely work" and "schedule
slippage." Refusal to Cooperate: Evaluations described Halliburton
as "obstructive" with oversight officials. Despite the billions in
taxpayer funds Halliburton has been paid, the company's "leadership
demonstrated minimal cooperative attitude resolving problems."
Halliburton's Performance Under the Restore Iraqi Oil 2
Contract
http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Documents/20060328142928-38362.pdf
03/28/2006
Valg til det israelske parlament, Knesset.
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