Lack of security limits Iraq's recovery despite $100 billion rebuilding effort

[babylonsister]

Lack of security limits Iraq's recovery

By John Heilprin and Pauline Jelinek, Associated Press Writers | October 30, 2007

WASHINGTON --Despite some declines in violence in Iraq, the shaky overall state of security is still impeding the nation's $100 billion recovery and rebuilding effort, a new report said Tuesday.

In recent months, progress has been made on some projects as the escalation of U.S. forces ordered by President Bush reduced attacks on coalition forces and Iraqis to their lowest levels in more than a year, according to the latest quarterly report from Stuart W. Bowen Jr., the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.

But the decline notwithstanding, the report said: "Security in Iraq continues to be a significant concern for Iraqi citizens, as well as reconstruction staff, management and contractors."

As of the end of September, the whole reconstruction program totaled more than $103 billion -- including $45 billion appropriated by the U.S., $40 billion in Iraqi money and $18 billion pledged by other countries.

Some 60 percent of the U.S. money has been spent so far, said the report, which detailed how the money was used.

For instance, it said the U.S. has invested about $4.6 billion in rebuilding the country's power system -- a task some estimate will ultimately cost $20 billion.

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http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/10/30/lack_of_security_limits_iraqs_recovery/