Security costs sap Iraq's rebuilding funds

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/politics/12248621.htm

Security costs sap Iraq's rebuilding funds

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - A tenuous security environment in Iraq has hindered reconstruction efforts there, with crude oil production and power generation still not reaching prewar levels of 2003 as of May, a report released Thursday found.

The Government Accountability Office also said $1.8 billion intended for major electricity and water projects during the 2004 fiscal year had to be shifted to cover urgent security and law enforcement needs.

In a separate report, the agency said the United States missed some reconstruction and economic objectives in Afghanistan during that same period because of security problems and the illicit drug industry.

"Deteriorating security in some regions rendered large areas effectively inaccessible to the assistance community; despite efforts by U.S., Afghan, and international forces, attacks against aid workers, Afghan security forces, and international forces increased," the report said. "Further, a continued rise in opium production undermined legitimate economic activities and the establishment of the rule of law."

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[jojo54]

1. So you mean they're CLAIMING to know where some of the

money went? My, My....the sun shines.:sarcasm:

[FloridaPat]

2. This way the US contracting companies don't even have to fake fixing

things. The money just goes to them. Aren't our troops doing some of the protecting without contractor type pay?

[Moderator]

3. Kick

[Pirate Smile]

4. WP: Security Costs Slow Iraq Reconstruction

Security Costs Slow Iraq Reconstruction
Contract Excesses Also Hamper Progress

By Renae Merle and Griff Witte
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 29, 2005; Page A01

Efforts to rebuild water, electricity and health networks in Iraq are being shortchanged by higher-than-expected costs to provide security and by generous financial awards to contractors, according to a series of reports by government investigators released yesterday.

Taken together, the reports seem to run contrary to the Bush administration's upbeat assessment that reconstruction efforts are moving vigorously ahead and that the insurgency is dying down.

The United States, Iraq and international donors have committed more than $60 billion to run Iraq and revive its damaged infrastructure. But security costs are eating away a substantial share of that total, up to 36 percent on some projects, the Government Accountability Office reported yesterday. The higher security costs are causing reconstruction authorities to scale back efforts in some areas and abandon projects in others.

For instance, in March, the U.S. Agency for International Development canceled two electric power generation programs in order to provide $15 million in additional security elsewhere. On another project to rehabilitate electric substations, the Army Corps of Engineers decided that securing 14 of the 23 facilities would be too expensive and limited the entire project to nine stations. And in February, USAID added $33 million to cover higher security costs on one project, which left it short of money to pay for construction oversight, quality assurance and administrative costs.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072802269.html

[Javaman]

5. This is very old news...

I recall something around the election that stated the very same thing. Basically, no progress in rebuilding the country because the security budget we eating everything in it's path.

So the million dollar question is: If security is breaking the bank, how come there are still major problems in Iraq?? Since security taking the lions share of the money, shouldn't it be safer??????

Stupid colossal fucking failures*

Each day and every way I get sicker and sicker if this admin and this fucked up war.

[grytpype]

6. Of course security is eating everything alive.

The Americans and the Iraqi "government" can't provide the kind of secure environment that governments normally provide, so contractors have to pay the cost of trying to provide it themselves.

Remember that the next time you hear someone say government isn't worth the taxes we pay.

[Judi Lynn]

7. Iraq Reconstruction Funds Being Diverted

Iraq Reconstruction Funds Being Diverted

Friday, July 29, 2005

(07-29) 02:40 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) --

Violence continues to slow reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan and is forcing the U.S. to spend on security needs some money that had originally been allocated for building projects.

In a report issued Thursday, the Government Accountability Office said that as of May the insurgency in Iraq was holding crude oil production and power generation at levels below the output before the U.S.-led invasion.

The GAO said $1.8 billion intended for major electricity and water projects during the 2004 fiscal year had to be shifted to cover urgent security and law enforcement needs.
(snip)

It found the United States had planned to rehabilitate or build 286 schools in a year in Afghanistan but it completed only 8 new structures, while another 77 were refurbished. Likewise, despite a goal of 253 new health clinics, only 15 were built and none were refurbished.
(snip/...)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/07/29/national/w024052D08.DTL

[Joanne98]

8. The Bush for Bush program.......lol

[splat@14]

9. Bombs and guns have priority in Bush world.