Skyrocketing security costs have
forced American officials here to slash about $1 billion from projects
intended to rebuild Iraq's shattered infrastructure, dealing another
blow to U.S. plans to pacify Iraq by improving basic services. William
Taylor, a U.S. diplomat who oversees Iraqi reconstruction efforts, said
the country's violent insurgency had created a "security premium,"
gobbling up money that otherwise would have been spent to provide clean
water, electricity and sanitation for Iraqis. The slow pace in
rebuilding Iraq has raised protests from Iraqis, who continue to suffer
from a lack of services. Many Iraqi homes and businesses have
electricity only a few hours a day. Raw sewage still streams straight
into the Tigris River, just as it did under former dictator Saddam
Hussein. Iraqi officials expressed frustration with the latest
cutbacks, saying fewer water, sewer and electricity projects could
further alienate Iraqis and bolster the insurgency. Already, one top
Iraqi official said she had to cut back on plans to deliver clean water
to residents of the often-restive cities of Fallouja and Mosul. "I'm
amazed at how a program meant for reconstruction that could have
provided more services and could have effected stabilization could be
cut so drastically," said interim Iraqi Public Works Minister Nasreen
Mustapha Berwari. When Congress initially approved $18.4 billion in
November 2003 to help rebuild Iraq, the majority of the money was
intended to improve electrical and water systems, which had suffered
from years of neglect during United Nations-imposed sanctions. But the
reconstruction program has struggled to take off in the face of violent
attacks, intimidation of workers and allegations of fraud. In the face
of spiraling violence, reconstruction officials have shifted funds
during the last few months to improve security. Now, the largest chunk
of money, about $5 billion, pays for weapons, uniforms and other
equipment to help Iraqi forces quell the insurgency. [more]