As an Ex-Deutsche Telekom customer service agent, I can tell you, you are far from being alone with that problem. But I have to tell you:
NEVER underestimate roaming fees, as in your case, phoning overseas, and ALWAYS read the small print. The phone bill, I have to say, is totally correct.
Check them for yourself here:
http://www.t-mobile.com/International/RoamingOverview.aspx
Enter, say, Iraq and click 'Go'
I know this is brutal, and as you say, it leaves people who are not aware of this fees really fucked up. But a call every day, for 30 minutes, just to use some numbers to go on, make:
30 days x 30 minutes x 2,99 Dollars = 2691 dollars