Iraq: Recent Developments in Reconstruction Assistance
Abstract
Large-scale reconstruction assistance programs are being undertaken in Iraq. To fund such programs, Congress approved on April 12, 2003, a $2.48 billion Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) in the FY2003 Supplemental Appropriation. On Nov. 6, 2003, the President signed into law P.L. 108-106, the FY2004 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation, providing $18.4b for Iraq reconstruction. Contributions pledged at the Oct. 24, 2003, Madrid donor conference amounted to roughly $3.6b in grant aid and as much as $13.3b in possible loans. On Feb. 14, 2005, the President sent a supplemental appropriations request to Congress that would, among other items, provide an additional $5.7b for the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces. Funds would be controlled by the Secretary of Defense in a new Iraqi Security Forces Fund rather than provided through the State Department-managed IRRF, as is currently the case. The House approved the measure on March 16. On June 28, 2004, the Coalition Provisional Authority, dissolved, and sovereignty returned to Iraq. Security Council Res. 1546 of June 8, 2004, returned control of assets held in the Development Fund for Iraq to the government of Iraq. U.S. assistance is now provided through the embassy under Amb. John Negroponte. Many reconstruction efforts are underway, but security concerns have slowed progress considerably. Most reconstruction funding is targeted at infrastructure projects. Aid is also used to train and equip Iraqi security forces. A range of programs are in place to offer expert advice to the Iraqi government, establish business centers, rehabilitate schools and health clinics, provide school books and vaccinations, etc. However, of the $18.4b appropriated in October 2003, only $11.8b had been obligated and $4.0b spent by mid-March 2005. On Sep. 29, Congress approved a re-allocation of $3.5b in previously appropriated reconstruction funds to give greater emphasis to security, employment generation, and debt relief.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 23, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA472428
Entities
People
- Curt Tarnoff
Organizations
- Library of Congress