Fines may help pay for Iraq projects
SOME of the £17 million handed over by the Weir Group to make amends for paying kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's government might be used to pay for improvement's to Iraq's water infrastructure.
Weir agreed yesterday to hand over nearly 14m in profits made from its lucrative relationship with the former Saddam regime. On top of this, it was fined 3m by the court.
The funds will be handed over to the Scottish Government and will be used for its CashBack for Communities programme.
Scottish Government officials say there is, therefore, a clear rationale for trying to channel some of Weir's fine back to Iraq, considering the 3.1 billion in bribes paid by Weir should have been used to support humanitarian efforts in the country.
Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "I am delighted to confirm that a significant sum will be given over to support the Scottish Government's international development work, and discussions will now begin about how this money can be best used."
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Monday 28 May 2012
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