Much of Iraq still in ruin as U.S. builders leave

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/4258694.html

Local officials will be faced with running plants and finishing jobs left by big companies


By CHARLES J. HANLEY
Associated Press

Close behind U.S. tanks and troops, America's big builders invaded Iraq three years ago. Now the reconstruction funds are drying up and they're pulling out, leaving completed projects and unfulfilled plans in the hands of an Iraqi government unprepared to manage either.

The Oct. 1 start of the U.S. government's 2007 fiscal year signaled an end to U.S. aid for new reconstruction in Iraq.

"We're really focusing now on helping Iraqis do this themselves in the future," said Daniel Speckhard, reconstruction chief at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Many Iraqi government ministries aren't able yet to pick up where the Americans leave off, he said: "They're very bad at sustainment in terms of programs and projects."

[bronxiteforever]

1. There NEEDS to be a war profiteer committee in the House after

the election-to let the people know how their money meant for the Iraqis people was squandered

[madrchsod]

2. since 1992 the united states has taken a first world country

and blasted it into a third world country . a fine example of nation building by the greatest democracy in the world!