Rebuilding Iraq: Challenges Remain for Security and Stabilization
By Jim Kouri CPP (11/02/05)
The United States, along with coalition partners and various international organizations, has undertaken a challenging and costly effort to stabilize and rebuild Iraq following multiple wars and decades of neglect by the former regime, according to the General Accounting Office.
This enormous effort is taking place in an unstable security environment, concurrent with Iraqi efforts to complete a constitutional framework for establishing a permanent government. The United States' goal is to help the Iraqi government develop a democratic, stable, and prosperous country, at peace with itself and its neighbors, a partner in the war against terrorism, with its people enjoying the benefits of a free society and a market economy after years of suffering under a dictatorship and a socialist economy,
The United States is the primary contributor to efforts to stabilize and rebuild Iraq. Since 2003, the United States has made available about $30 billion for activities that include the construction and repair of infrastructure, procurement of equipment, and training and equipping of Iraqi security forces. International donors have pledged $13.6 billion in reconstruction funds (from 2004 through 2007), of which about $2.7 billion was provided in multilateral and bilateral grants through August 2005.
However, most of the pledged amount -- about $10 billion -- is in the form of loans on which the Iraqi government largely has not yet drawn. Iraqi funds have primarily supported the country's operating budget, with some focus on capital improvement projects. For 2005, Iraq planned for about $28 billion in expenditures -- largely supported by oil proceeds -- to fund salaries, pensions, ministry operations, and related expenses. It is likely that Iraq may need more funds than currently available due to the severely degraded infrastructure, looting and sabotage that occurred at the end of the war, and additional security costs.
The United States faces three key challenges in stabilizing and rebuilding Iraq. First, the security environment and the continuing strength of the insurgency have made it difficult for the United States to transfer security responsibilities to Iraqi forces and to engage in rebuilding efforts. The security situation in Iraq has deteriorated since June 2003, with significant increases in attacks against the coalition and the coalition's partners. However, during the Iraqi Constitution Referendum, a noticable decrease in terror attacks occurred in comparison to the attacks during the January elections.
Second, inadequate performance data and measures make it difficult to determine the overall progress and impact of US reconstruction efforts. The United States has set broad goals for providing essential services in Iraq, but limited performance measures present challenges in determining the overall progress and impact of US projects.
Third, the US reconstruction program has encountered difficulties with Iraq's ability to maintain new and rehabilitated infrastructure projects and to address maintenance needs in the water, sanitation, and electricity sectors. For example, as of June 2005, US government funded water and sanitation projects representing about $52 million of approximately $200 million spent on completed projects were inoperable or were operating at lower than normal capacity.
The United States has made a significant investment in the rebuilding and stabilization of Iraq. To preserve that investment, the United States must address these critical challenges.
[Based on a non-classifed report provided to the National Association of Chiefs of Police by the US General Accounting Office. According to the GAO, a subsequent classified report will be submitted to key US military and national security policymakers.]
Sources: US General Accounting Office, US Department of Defense, National Security Institute, National Association of Chiefs of Police
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