corrente

Army Corps of Engineers come to a stunning realization:

"Fairness requires that we recognize that allegations or 'clouds of suspicion' are not necessarily facts, and that we act accordingly." "If we disqualified firms based merely on anonymous allegations, or thinly supported calculations, the procurement process would be subject to manipulation and 'gaming' by those with vested interests. ..."

Where to start with that one huh? More:

WASHINGTON -- Faced with price-gouging allegations involving Vice President Dick Cheney's former company, the Army Corps of Engineers now acknowledges it alone awarded Halliburton new business in Iraq after initially suggesting experts from other U.S. agencies played an important role.

The Army Corps of Engineers told The Associated Press that the Corps -- not an evaluation team cited on its Internet site -- chose Halliburton for a contract worth up to $1.2 billion. The Corps is refusing to release records showing on what merits it made the decision.
[February 9, 2004]

Full Associated Press item here: Army Changes Halliburton Response