Violence in Iraq cripples $21-bln rebuilding effort

[maddezmom]

By Michael Georgy
15 minutes ago



BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Washington is far behind in plans to pump $21 billion into Iraq's reconstruction, bogged down by an insurgency that has killed hundreds of contractors and diverted funds to security, a U.S. official said on Saturday.


"There is a long way to go. We recognize a lot of work needs to be done," said William Taylor, the U.S. official overseeing American rebuilding work in Iraq.

He told reporters it was still too early to predict when Iraqis will enjoy adequate electricity and other essential services -- more than two years after the U.S.-led invasion.

Relentless guerrilla attacks have killed a 295 contractors for U.S. projects alone since reconstruction began, said Theresa Shope, spokeswoman for the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office.

~snip~
more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050521/wl_nm/iraq_reconstruction_dc

[Systematic Chaos]

1. I'm sure another $21 billion

(210 billion? 2.1 TRILLION?) will fix this right up. Please make your checks payable to Halliburton. Only a traitor wouldn't make their checks payable to Halliburton....

[OneBlueSky]

2. if the US had any real interest in rebuilding Iraq . . .

they would have awarded the construction contracts to Iraqi firms, not to American multinationals . . . the only construction BushCo is interested in is fourteen permanent US military installations, the world's largest embassy, and whatever is needed to keep the oil flowing . . .

[ckramer]

3. Do you know that

Awarding Iraqi firms is awarding insurgency? A no no no. Letting Iraqis have a better life is not in the plan of invading Iraq.

[IChing]

4. "freedom's remarkable progress"

Since invading Iraq in 2003, the United States has earmarked US$21 billion (euro16.7 billion) in resources for the country's reconstruction. So far US$7.5 million (euro6 million) of this has paid to contractors to perform works. Rebuilding, training and equipping Iraq's own security forces will eat up $5billion alone.

Taylor said $200 million has gone toward Fallujah since the November American military operation to drive terrorists out of the volatile city located just west of Baghdad. Funds there have gone toward a water project, while 19,000 of 33,000 compensation claims have also been paid for damage caused to people's properties because of the operation.

Earlier this month, a U.N.-Iraqi survey showed that 85 percent of Iraqis complain of frequent power outages, only 54 percent have access to clean water and almost a quarter of Iraq's children suffer from chronic malnutrition.

[maddezmom]

5. AP's headline: Insurgency Delays Reconstruction of Iraq

By PAUL GARWOOD, Associated Press Writer
10 minutes ago



BAGHDAD, Iraq - Insurgents targeting oil lines, electricity plants and other infrastructure projects vital to Iraq's reconstruction have delayed U.S.-led rebuilding efforts and raised the cost of doing business in this war-ravaged country, a top American official said Saturday.


Bill Taylor, director of the U.S.-led Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, said ceaseless attacks on contractors and facilities have also increasing security demands, with up to 16 percent of all project costs now being spent on hiring armed guards, improving site protection and providing equipment like hardened vehicles and telecommunications systems.

He could not give an overall figure for the extra amount being spent

Taylor told reporters that the raging insurgency was scaring away sorely needed foreign investors. Even oil companies accustomed to dealing in dangerous locations were staying away.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050521/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_reconstruction/nc:736