To the editor:

Upon signing the $87 billion emergency supplemental bill to fund military and reconstruction costs in Iraq, President Bush released a statement announcing that the inspector general in Iraq “shall refrain from initiating, carrying out or completing an audit or investigation or from issuing a subpoena which requires access to sensitive operation plans” due to reasons of national security.

The role of the inspector general in Iraq is to oversee the reconstruction process, not military operations. We believe it is critical that Congress exercise its oversight authority to ensure that the rebuilding of Iraq is conducted wisely, fairly and with as much transparency as possible.

President Bush is hurting confidence in the reconstruction process by continuing to foster an environment of secrecy.

Congress created the inspector general position in Iraq to help ease the public’s concern about how reconstruction contracts are being awarded. By reducing the authority of the inspector general to access necessary information, President Bush undermines the will of Congress.

Other countries that might contribute money to reconstruction processes have been discouraged by a lack of transparency in how money is being spent.

We’re talking about close to $20 billion in taxpayer funds being spent to rebuild Iraq. We need an inspector general to ensure those funds aren’t being wasted or going into the pockets of corrupt contractors.

Dwight Hilpman,

Lawrence