Order Code RL31833
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Iraq: Recent Developments
in Reconstruction Assistance
Updated December 20, 2004
Curt Tarnoff
Specialist in Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress
Iraq: Recent Developments
in Reconstruction Assistance
Summary
Large-scale reconstruction assistance programs are being undertaken by the
United States following the war with Iraq. To fund such programs, Congress
approved on April 12, 2003, a $2.48 billion Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund in
the FY2003 Supplemental Appropriation. On November 6, 2003, the President
signed into law P.L. 108-106, the FY2004 Emergency Supplemental Appropriation,
providing $18.4 billion for Iraq reconstruction. Contributions pledged at the October
24, 2003, Madrid donor conference by other donors amounted to roughly $3.6 billion
in grant aid and as much as $13.3 billion in possible loans.
On June 28, 2004, the entity implementing assistance programs, the Coalition
Provisional Authority (CPA), dissolved, and sovereignty was returned to Iraq.
Security Council Resolution 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 of the United States under Ambassador John
Negroponte.
Many reconstruction efforts on the ground are underway, but security concerns
have slowed progress considerably. Most reconstruction funding is targeted at
infrastructure projects — roads, sanitation, electric power, oil production, etc. 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 $18.4 billion appropriated by Congress in October 2003, only $9.6 billion had
been obligated and $2.1 billion spent by mid-December 2004. Congress approved
on September 29 an Administration-proposed re-allocation of $3.5 billion in
previously appropriated reconstruction funds to give greater emphasis to security,
employment generation, and debt relief.
The report will be updated as events warrant. For discussion of the Iraq political
situation, see CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S. Regime Change Efforts and Post-
Saddam Governance.
Contents
Funding for Reconstruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
U.S. Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Oil Resources and Development Fund for Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Iraqi Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Other Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
U.S. Aid Policy Structure on Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Security Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The Role of the United Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
U.S. Reconstruction Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Reconstruction Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Reconstruction Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Commanders Emergency Response Program (CERP) . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Reconstruction Contract Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Recent Assessments of Reconstruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
List of Tables
Table 1. Funds Committed/Pledged to Iraq Relief and Reconstruction . . . . . . . . . 2
Table 2. Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Iraq: Recent Developments
in Reconstruction Assistance
Large-scale reconstruction assistance programs are being undertaken by the
United States in Iraq. This report describes recent developments in this assistance
effort. The report will be updated as events warrant.1
Funding for Reconstruction
Following years of authoritarian rule and economic sanctions, the United States
and the international community agreed in the spring of 2003 that efforts should be
made to introduce economic reform and democratic government to post-war Iraq.
The best available estimates of the eventual cost of this Iraq reconstruction are
provided in an October 2003 World Bank and U.N. Development Group needs
assessment of 14 sectors of the Iraqi government and economy. Prepared for the
benefit of the international donors conference held in Madrid on October 23-24,
2003, it established the targets by which the adequacy of available resources will be
judged. The World Bank/U.N. assessments put the cost of reconstruction for the 14
sectors at $36 billion over four years, a figure that does not include $19.4 billion
estimated by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) for security, oil, and other
sectors not covered by the Bank/U.N. assessments. Combined World Bank and CPA
projected reconstruction costs through 2007 amount to $55 billion.2
Several potential “spigots” are available to fund Iraq reconstruction. U.S.
foreign aid appropriations were provided in FY2003 and FY2004 in two emergency
supplemental bills specifically for Iraq. International donors have also made aid
contributions. Iraqi funds, mostly derived from oil export profits, have been
employed largely to cover the “normal” operating costs of the Iraqi government, but,
where sufficient amounts are available, have been used to address reconstruction
needs. Additionally, the reduction or rescheduling of Iraqi debt repayments makes
further resources available. These sources of reconstruction funding are discussed
below.
1 For detailed discussion of the Iraq political situation, see CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: U.S.
Regime Change Efforts and Post-Saddam Governance.
2 For the full text of the report online, see the World Bank website at
[http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTIRAQ/Overview/20147568/Joint%20Needs%20
Assessment.pdf].
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Table 1. Funds Committed/Pledged to Iraq Relief
and Reconstruction
($ millions)
United States
FY2003 Apps.
FY2004 Apps.
Total
Assistance
Iraq Relief and
2,475.0
18,439.0
20,914.0
Reconstruction Fund
(of which 2,418.0
(of which 9,643.0
obligated as of 12/15/04
obligated as of 12/15/04)
DOD - Oil Repair
802.0
—
802.0
DOD - Iraq Army
51.2
—
51.2
DOD - CERP
—
140.0
140.0
Other Agency Funds
478.9
1.9
480.8
CPA/Embassy
684.6
983.0
1,667.6
Administration
Total U.S. Assistance
4,491.7
19,563.9
24,055.6
Iraq Resources (as of 9/30/04)
U.S. Vested Funds
1,724.0
U.S. Seized Funds
927.0
Development Fund for Iraq (DFI)
25,782.0
Total Iraq Resources
28,433.0
Other Donors (as of 10/14/04)
Humanitarian Funds
849.0
Reconstruction Grants & Loans Pledged at
13,588.9
Madrid Conference
(of which at least 9,000.0 are loans)
Total Other Donor Grants & Loans
14,437.9
Sources: Section 2207 Report to Congress Pursuant to P.L. 108-106, Oct. 2004; CPA Inspector
General, Report to Congress, Pursuant to P.L. 108-106, Oct. 30, 2004; Department of State
Working Papers: Iraq Weekly Status, Dec. 15, 2004; and CRS calculations.
U.S. Assistance
In the FY2003 Emergency Supplemental (P.L. 108-11, H.R. 1559/H.Rept. 108-
76), signed on April 16, 2003, $2.48 billion was appropriated for a special Iraq Relief
and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF) for the purpose of aid efforts in a wide range of
sectors, including water and sanitation, food, electricity, education, and rule of law.
The legislation gave the President control over the Fund, and amounts could be
transferred only to the Department of State, the Agency for International
Development (USAID), the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense,
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and the Department of Health and Human Services, subject to the usual notification
procedures.
The FY2004 Emergency Supplemental (P.L. 108-106,H.R. 3289/H.Rept. 108-
337), signed on November 6, added $18.4 billion to the IRRF and allowed funds to
go directly to the CPA in addition to the above named agencies. While earlier funds
had been used to support a broad range of humanitarian and reconstruction efforts,
the FY2004 appropriation was largely intended to have an immediate impact on the
two greatest reconstruction concerns raised since the occupation of Iraq began —
security and infrastructure.
The reconstruction funds were provided entirely as grants, after the
Administration threatened to veto any measure that provided aid in the form of loans.
The legislation established an Inspector General office to monitor the use of funds
by the CPA, and included extensive reporting requirements regarding expenditures,
projects, and other sources of revenue. The bill also provided $983 million for
operating expenses of the CPA. Exceptions to the rule of full and open competition
for contracts have to be justified and notified to Congress.
On September 14, 2004, the Administration asked Congress to approve a
significant re-allocation of $3.46 billion of the $18.4 billion (see Reconstruction
Priorities below). Because the desired changes were greater than the supplemental’s
restriction on how much a specific sector — such as security or health — could be
increased (no more than 20%) or decreased (no more than 10%) from the original
congressional allocation, a simple notification to the appropriations committees was
insufficient. Requiring legislative action in order to accommodate the President’s re-
allocation plan, Congress included such authority in the FY2005 Continuing
Resolution (P.L. 108-309).
Although the IRRF accounts for most U.S. reconstruction aid to Iraq, funds have
been drawn from other accounts for related purposes. Department of Defense
appropriations were used to cover the FY2003 operational expenses of the CPA and
have gone to pay part of the costs for repair of Iraq’s oil infrastructure, for training
of the Iraqi army, and toward the Commanders Emergency Response Program
(CERP). In addition to drawing from the IRRF, USAID has used its own funds to
pay for humanitarian programs in Iraq. The FY2005 Defense Appropriations, signed
into law (P.L. 108-287, H.R. 4613) on August 5 makes available up to $300 million
in additional funding for the CERP.
Oil Resources and Development Fund for Iraq
Efforts are being made to restore Iraq’s oil production capacity. Oil exporting
resumed in mid-June 2003, but oil production has been slowed by looting and
sabotage. In September 2004, rates of production reached a peak of 2.67 million
barrels/day compared with a pre-war rate of 2.5 million barrels/day, but as of mid-
December stand at 2.19 million barrels/day. The target has been 2.8-3.0 million
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barrels/day by end of 2004.3 The Administration’s re-allocation of appropriations
subtracts $450 million from the emergency supply of oil to Iraqis and adds it to
efforts to improve the oil production infrastructure.
Prior to the war, the Administration had expected that Iraq’s oil reserves would
help it “shoulder much of the burden for [its] own reconstruction.”4 The May 22,
2003, U.N. Resolution 1483 which ended sanctions permitted the occupying coalition
to use oil reserves for more long-term reconstruction purposes. The resolution
shifted responsibility for oil profits and their disbursal from the U.N. to the United
States and its allies by establishing a Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) held by the
Central Bank of Iraq and into which oil profits and other Iraqi assets would be
deposited. Under Security Council Resolution 1546, adopted on June 8, 2004, the
transitional government of sovereign Iraq now has control over use of DFI funds.5
As of June 28, total DFI deposits amounted to about $20.7 billion in oil
proceeds and other repatriated funds. In addition to the Oil for Food Program’s
monthly food baskets, responsibility for which was transferred to the coalition on
November 22, 2003, DFI funds were used to support a wide range of reconstruction
activities, including the currency exchange program, oil and electricity infrastructure
repair, and purchase of firefighting equipment. Up to the transition at the end of
June, roughly $14 billion in DFI resources had been expended and $6.6 billion
remained in the DFI, but virtually all of it was committed to supporting the 2004 Iraqi
budget.6
Many questions have been raised regarding the CPA’s use and monitoring of
DFI funds. Security Council Resolution 1483 (May 2003) required that an
international advisory board to monitor the sale and use of oil be established, but at
first the CPA opposed international institution efforts to create a system of “special
audits” that would allow the board to look at any issue. CPA failure to establish the
board led to international criticism, and Security Council Resolution 1511 (October
2003) recommended that the board be established as a priority and that the DFI
3 Department of State, Iraq Status Weekly Working Papers, December 15, 2004.
4 Press briefing by Ari Fleisher, White House, February 18, 2003; 90-Day Update Report
to Congress Pursuant to Sec. 1506 of Emergency Wartime Supplemental, July 14, 2003, p.
4.
5 Other Iraqi assets are also expected to be put in the DFI. On March 20, 2003, President
Bush issued an executive order confiscating non-diplomatic Iraqi assets held in the United
States. Of the total assets seized, an estimated $1.74 billion worth were available for
reconstruction purposes. Another $926 million in assets located by the United States in Iraq
were also used for these purposes. In addition, foreign governments were reported to hold
an estimated $3.7 billion in seized or frozen assets, of which $847 million had been
deposited in the DFI by June 28. Security Council Resolution 1511 urges member states to
deposit seized assets in the DFI immediately.
6 Since the end of the occupation, another $5 billion, mostly oil revenues, has been added
to the DFI. It pays for Iraqi government programs. CPA Inspector General, Report to
Congress, October 30, 2004, posted at [http://www.cpa-ig.org/reports_congress.html].
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should be “used in a transparent manner.”7 On October 21, 2003, the CPA
announced that it would allow the advisory board to go forward and the first meeting
of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) was held on December
5, 2003. However, a delay in appointing accountants by the CPA continued to
prevent work up to early February 2004. On March 24, the IAMB recommended
installation of a metering system for oil extraction to prevent diversion, and criticized
the use of non-competitive bidding for contracts funded by the DFI.8 Security
Council Resolution 1546 (June 2004) determined that the IAMB should continue to
exist after the turn-over of sovereignty with the addition of an Iraqi government-
appointed full voting member.9
The CPA established a Program Review Board in June 2003 to prioritize and
recommend how DFI resources are used. Although composed of coalition,
multilateral bank, and U.N. officials, the multilateral bank members had no vote and
the U.N. official served only as an observer. The Program Review Board published
brief minutes of its meetings, but little detailed information regarding the nearly
2,000 contracts it awarded utilizing Iraqi funds. Reportedly, U.S. contractors
received as much as $1.9 billion of DFI funds, of which Halliburton subsidiary
Kellogg Brown & Root was awarded $1.7 billion.10
In its June 2004 audit, KPMG, the accounting firm designated by the IAMB to
audit the DFI, noted the CPA’s inadequate accounting systems and records and lack
of controls over ministry spending of DFI resources, opening the door for corruption.
KPMG also pointed out the use of non-competitive bidding for some contracts
funded by the DFI. Subsequent audits have highlighted multiple financial
irregularities.11 A representative on the IAMB has accused the Administration of
withholding information on non-competitive contracts, and repeated requests to U.S.
agencies for information on sole-sourced contracts funded by the DFI have not been
answered.12 The organization Christian Aid has accused the CPA of being “in
flagrant breach of the U.N. resolution” giving it use of DFI funds. “Last minute”
7 Security Council Resolution 1511, October 16, 2003, para. 23. See “Oil to Come Under
Iraqi Control as U.S. Fails to Form Advisory Board,” Financial Times, August 19, 2003;
“Annan Deals a Blow to U.S. Draft Resolution,” Financial Times, October 3, 2003.
8 The IAMB website is at [http://www.iamb.info/]; IAMB, Press Release, March 24, 2004;
“Monitoring Panel for Iraq Spending Yet to Start Work,” Financial Times, February 5,
2004.
9 Security Council Resolution 1546, June 8, 2004, para. 24.
10 “$1.9 Billion of Iraq’s Money Goes to U.S. Contractors,” Washington Post, August 4,
2004.
11 KPMG Audit dated June 29, 2004, available on-line at IAMB website
[http://www.iamb.info/]; Iraq Revenue Watch, Disorder, Negligence and Mismanagement:
How the CPA Handled Iraq Reconstruction Funds, Report no. 7, September 2004; Iraq
Revenue Watch, Audit Finds More Irregularities and Mismanagement of Iraq’s Resources,
December 2004; “Big Spender,” Financial Times, December 10, 2004.
12 Press Release, “Statement by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board on Iraq,”
September 8, 2004; “U.S. Won’t Turn Over Data for Iraq Audits,” Washington Post, July
16, 2004.
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spending by the CPA of $2.5 billion in DFI resources in the weeks prior to the turn-
over of sovereignty has also drawn critical attention. Among other things, the
spending went for equipment for security forces, vocational training, and oil and
electric infrastructure, and local projects. Iraqi officials have been critical of the
contrast between the slow spending of U.S. funds and the rapid draw-down of the
DFI.13
Iraqi Debt
The United States has sought to obtain support from creditors for Iraq debt
relief. Iraq’s debt is estimated at $125 billion.14 The Paris Club of government
creditors has estimated Iraq’s debt to its members at $42 billion, including both
principal and interest. Including arrears and contingent liabilities, the total Iraq debt
owed the United States totals about $4 billion. The London Club of commercial
creditors, multilateral banks, and the Gulf States are owed substantial additional
sums. The United States has argued that any new Iraqi government should not be
burdened with debts associated with the policies of its previous ruler and has
supported a near total forgiveness of debt.15 Some large holders of Iraqi debt —
France, Germany, and Russia for instance — have been more inclined to reschedule
debt than to forgive it, arguing that, as an oil rich country, Iraq could afford someday
to pay its debts.
Several steps have led to a partial resolution of the debt issue. One was the
December 2003 appointment by President Bush of former Secretary of State James
Baker III as his personal envoy responsible for seeking a reduction in debt owed by
Iraq. A series of meetings between Baker and the leaders of debt-holding countries
in the winter of 2004 led to statements of support for varying levels of relief, but no
comprehensive agreement on the debt issue was reached at that time. Another factor
was the assumption of sovereignty by Iraq. A sovereign government can negotiate
with creditors. On September 22, 2004, Iraq cleared its overdue financial obligations
to the IMF and, within one week, gained access to $436 million in IMF Emergency
Post Conflict Assistance. This could make it easier for Iraq to reach agreement with
private and government creditors. Further, as part of the Administration’s re-
allocation proposal, Congress approved in P.L. 108-309 $360 million to cover the
costs of cancelling the roughly $4 billion Iraqi debt obligation owed the United States
— the U.S. debt was formally forgiven on December 17. These factors have
culminated in an agreement by the 19 Paris Club members on November 20, 2004,
to write off roughly $31 billion in Iraqi debt, 80% of what it owed to this group.
13 Christian Aid, Fuelling Suspicion: the Coalition and Iraq’s Oil Billions, June 2004;
“U.S. Is Quietly Spending $2.5 Billion from Iraqi Oil Revenue to Pay for Iraqi Projects,”
New York Times, June 21, 2004; Section 2207 Report, OMB, July 2, 2004; “U.S. Funds
for Iraq are Largely Unspent,” Washington Post, July 4, 2004.
14 Based on Paris Club data. Does not include $29 billion in unpaid Gulf War reparations.
International Monetary Fund, Iraq: Use of Fund Resources — Request for Emergency Post-
Conflict Assistance, September 24, 2004.
15 “U.S. Moves Closer to Relief of Iraqi Debts to West,” New York Times, October 3, 2004;
“G-7 Agrees That Iraq Needs Help with Debt,” Washington Post, April 13, 2003;
“Restructuring, Not Forgiveness,” Financial Times, April 15, 2003.
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Under the agreement, 30% would be forgiven now, followed by another 30% after
Iraq adopts a three-year IMF reform program, and a final 20% when the program is
completed. See CRS Report RS21765, Iraq: Paris Club Debt Relief, for further
details.16
Other Donors
Since March 2003, U.N. appeals for postwar humanitarian relief to Iraq have
been met with $849 million in donations from non-U.S. donors.17 The Madrid donor
conference, held on October 23-24, 2003, produced roughly $3.6 billion in pledges
of grant reconstruction aid from other donors, including $1.4 billion by Japan, $452
million (in new funds) by the United Kingdom, $220 million by Spain, $236 million
by the European Union (EU), $200 million by South Korea, and $236 million by
Italy. In some cases, announced amounts include funds previously contributed.
Additionally, between $9.6 and $13.3 billion in loans were offered, including $3.5
billion by Japan, between $3.0 and $5.0 billion by the World Bank, between $2.6 and
$4.3 billion by the IMF, and $500 million by Saudi Arabia.18 State Department
estimates indicate that as much as $428 million has been disbursed bilaterally, $927
million provided through the IRFFI, and another $436 million disbursed as a loan
through the IMF.19 A donor meeting held in Tokyo on October 13-14, 2004, agreed
to make efforts to disburse already pledged funds more quickly. No commitment,
however, was made by other donors to fulfill a U.S. request that they funnel financial
support to the water, sewage, and electricity sectors which lost funding during the
recent re-allocation of U.S. resources.20
Japan, the second largest donor after the United States, and Britain have been
notably active in providing bilateral assistance. Among other things, Japan has
provided significant funding for electrical power station rehabilitation, water
treatment units and tankers, medical equipment, and firetrucks and police vehicles.
Britain has offered considerable technical assistance and related support for
improvements in the justice system, governance, and economic policy.21 On
November 6, 2004, the EU pledged an additional $21 million (not counted above),
16 “Major Creditors Agree to Cancel 80% of Iraq Debt,” New York Times, November 22,
2004.
17 As of April 5, 2004. Includes appeal and outside-appeal aid from all donor countries,
except the United States. U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Total
Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq Crisis 2003. April 5, 2004, [http://www.reliefweb.int/
w/rwb.nsf].
18 See “Iraq Pledges Roll In,” BBC News, October 24, 2003.
19 CPA Inspector General, Report to Congress, October 30, 2004, pp. 71-73.
20 “Donors to Iraq Hope to Speed Aid Pledged for Projects,” New York Times, October 15,
2004.
21 Department of State, 2207 Report to Congress, October 2004.
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specifically to support the January elections, including funding for a U.N. force to
provide voter protection.22
During much of the occupation, donors had been reluctant to contribute to
reconstruction because they had no say in where the funds are to be allocated.23 To
deal with this concern, a multi-donor trust fund, the International Reconstruction
Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI), was established on December 11, 2003. It encourages
contributions by keeping them outside the control of the United States, but supports
needs identified in the World Bank needs assessment and approved by the Iraqi
government. The Facility has two windows, one run by the Bank (the World Bank
Iraq Trust Fund) and one by the United Nations (UNDG Iraq Trust Fund). As of
October, donors had committed about $1 billion of already pledged assistance to the
Facility, $927 million of which was already deposited. To date, the World Bank
Fund has financed textbooks, school rehabilitation, and water and sanitation
infrastructure, and has provided hundreds of Iraqi civil servants with management
training.24
U.S. Aid Policy Structure on Iraq
On June 28, 2004, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), the agency
established to temporarily rule Iraq and implement reconstruction programs, was
dissolved as Iraq regained its sovereignty. The United States is continuing to provide
an assistance program and, to the extent possible, policy guidance to the Iraqi
government through its U.S. embassy under Ambassador John Negroponte. The
embassy is expected to employ about 1,000 U.S. and 700 Iraqi staff. A temporary
Iraq Reconstruction Management Office (IRMO) has been created within the U.S.
embassy to supplant CPA assistance efforts. It is headed by Ambassador William B.
Taylor, Jr., the former Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Afghanistan and, before
that, Europe and Eurasia. The CPA’s Program Management Office (PMO), although
changing its name to the Project and Contracting Office (PCO), continues to be
responsible for program management and contracts and remains within the
Department of Defense, but reports to the Department of State as well as to the
Department of the Army. It is now headed by Charles Hess, the former PCO
deputy.25
Immediate overall responsibility for management of U.S. military activity in Iraq
belongs to General George Casey, Jr.. As commander of the multinational forces in
Iraq, Casey is responsible for establishing a new relationship between coalition forces
22 “E.U. Pledges Aid to Iraq,” Washington Post, November 6, 2004.
23 “U.S. Seeks Help With Iraq Costs, But Donors Want a Larger Say,” New York Times, July
14, 2003; “Bush’s Plea for Iraq Aid Falls on Deaf Ears,” Financial Times, September 25,
2003.
24 CPA Inspector General, Report to Congress, October 30, 2004, Appendix G,
25 The PCO and IRMO were established by a National Security Presidential Directive of May
11, 2004. See PCO website at [http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net].
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and the new Iraqi government and providing training and support to Iraqi security
forces. He also serves as principal military adviser to the U.S. ambassador.
With the dissolution of the CPA which was under the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of State assumes responsibility for assistance. Within the State
Department, Robin Raphel is the coordinator for Iraq reconstruction.
The post of CPA Inspector General, created under the FY2004 Emergency
Supplemental legislation, has been redesignated the Special Inspector General for
Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) by the recently enacted DOD Authorization for FY2005
(P.L. 108-375). The SIGIR is currently Stuart Bowen, Jr. The SIGIR office has
about 83 employees examining a range of issues, including the extent and use of
competition in contracting; efficient and effective contract management practices;
and charges of criminal misconduct. The SIGIR issued his first report to Congress
on March 30, 2004.26 The DOD Authorization extends the SIGIR beyond its
originally mandated December 2004 expiration and grants operational authority until
10 months after 80% of the reconstruction funds have been obligated. The SIGIR
reports to both the Secretary of Defense and State.27
Security Concerns
The successful conduct of much reconstruction work is contingent on an
environment of order and stability. More than a year since Operation Iraqi Freedom
was launched, violence persists against both U.S. forces and Iraqis in the transition
government. Among the effects of the continued instability has been an increase in
reconstruction costs. Major pipelines have been sabotaged — the northern pipeline,
for instance, on November 2 — shutting down oil exports. In the past year, power
was cut to more than 100 electrical lines, and nearly 1,200 electrical towers were
felled. In the Sunni triangle, small-scale rehabilitation projects have been destroyed
soon after completion. Ensuring security for project personnel has reportedly
accounted for as much as 10-20% of the cost of reconstruction activities, draining
funds from the purposes for which they were intended.28
The instability has frustrated implementation of reconstruction projects. Fearing
for their safety, many aid implementors have been withdrawn from the country — in
the past few months CARE International, Doctors Without Borders, and the
26 See [http://www.cpa-ig.org/] for a copy and for subsequent quarterly reports and audits.
27 CPA Inspector General, Report to Congress, October 30, 2004.
28 Charles Hess, DOD News Briefing, December 15, 2004; CPA Inspector General, Report
to Congress, March 30, 2004; “Security Companies: Shadow Soldiers in Iraq,” New York
Times, April 19, 2004; “Two Pipeline Blasts Halt Oil Exports at Top Iraq Port,” New York
Times, June 16, 2004; “Violence in Iraq Curbs Work of 2 Big Contractors,” New York
Times, April 22, 2004; “Saboteur Attacks Iraqi Phone Center,” Washington Post, March 4,
2004; “In Iraq, Contractors’ Security Costs Rise,” Washington Post, February 18, 2004;
“Sabotage Cuts Power to More Than 100 Electrical Lines,” New York Times, June 11, 2004;
“Insurgents Blow Up an Iraqi Oil Pipeline,” New York Times, November 3, 2004; “Town
Reflects Rising Sabotage in Iraq,” Washington Post, December 9, 2004.
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International Rescue Committee. U.N. and bilateral aid donors have been reluctant
to initiate projects of their own; many, including the U.N., are running programs from
Jordan or Kuwait utilizing Iraqi personnel to the extent possible. World Bank loans
are unlikely to be made until its staff can safely visit project sites.29 Insuring
peaceful elections in January may also be difficult — Iraqi officials say 270,000 Iraqi
security personnel are needed to police the polls; only 145,000 are expected to be
trained by that time.30
The quality of aid has likely been negatively affected as implementors cannot
meet with local people and design and monitor projects as they would in other
countries. The pool of foreign expertise available to advise the government and
NGOs is restricted to those few willing to endure the country’s hardships. In a
broader sense, prolonged insecurity has undermined the trust of the Iraqi people in
U.S. leadership to bring about a democratic and economic transformation in Iraq,
opening the door to further political discontent and opposition.31
Throughout the year, as security concerns continued to dominate the attention
of policymakers, efforts have been made to encourage other countries to provide
peacekeeping forces. However, participation of other countries has been hindered
by previous opposition to the war and other factors. In the wake of the violence and
hostage-taking, the Philippines, Honduras, and others withdrew their forces.
Hungary has announced its imminent departure. President Bush’s request that
NATO provide forces was rejected at the G-8 summit in June 2004, but NATO
agreed to help train Iraqi troops and plans to send 300 trainers by the end of the year.
Six NATO members, including France and Germany, have refused to send trainers
to Iraq.32
The number of U.S. troops is currently estimated at roughly 138,000. A level
of about 155,000 to 160,000 are expected by the time of the Iraqi election in late
January. There are also about 26,000 troops from 28 other nations.33
29 “Driven from Iraq, Aid Groups Reflect on Work Half Begun,” New York Times,
November 15, 2004; “Security Conditions Continue to Hamper U.N. in Iraq,” Washington
File, August 11, 2004; “Charities Get Ready to Leave,” London Times, September 9, 2004.
30 “Iraq Falls Short on Vote Security,” New York Times, November 23, 2004.
31 “As Violence Deepens, So Does Pessimism,” Washington Post, May 18, 2004; “Fueling
Anger in Iraq,” Washington Post, December 9, 2003; “The Best, Brightest, and Wealthiest
Flee Iraq,” Chicago Tribune, November 21, 2004.
32 “NATO Agrees to Expansion of Forces Training Soldiers in Iraq,” New York Times,
December 10, 2004. “NATO Vows to Speed Sending 300 Troops to Train Iraqi Forces,
New York Times, October 14, 2004; “Leaders Dispute NATO Role in Iraq,” Washington
Post, June 10, 2004; “NATO Ready to Help Train Iraqi Forces,” New York Times, July 31,
2004.
33 Iraq Index, Brookings Institution, [http://www.brookings.edu/iraqindex], December 15,
2004, page 13; “Senate Panel to Set Hearings on Iraq Insurgency,” Washington Post,
December 15, 2004; Department of State, Iraq Weekly Status Report, December 15, 2004.
CRS-11
According to the State Department, in early December there were 50,798
conventional Iraqi police (compared with 85,000 reported in September 2004 —
presumably the count now only includes trained forces) of 135,000 thought to be
required. In addition, there were 40,115 Iraqi National Guard (formerly Civil
Defense Corps) personnel patrolling with coalition forces, 14,999 customs/border
police. A 3,428 member Iraqi army conventional force is expected to increase to
27,000 over time. In all, about 42% of the required 273,689 security force personnel
are currently ready for action.34
During the past year, poorly trained and equipped security forces, dismissals of
police for criminal behavior, bribe taking by border police, and thousands of no-
shows threatened U.S. plans to increase security using Iraqi personnel. During the
April confrontation in Fallujah, as many as 20 to 25% of the security forces quit,
changed sides, or did not perform duties.35 As a result of these problems, Major
General David H. Petraeus was sent to Iraq in mid-April to oversee the organization
and training of all Iraqi security forces.36 A dispute — now resolved — over a
contract to equip Iraqi forces led to a lengthy delay in provision of radios, body
armor, and vehicles. Statistics show that in mid-July, most security forces had
substantially less than the number of weapons, vehicles, communications equipment,
and body armor required, but by late summer equipment was reportedly arriving in
large quantities.37
Concerns have continued to be expressed regarding the level of training and
availability of equipment for specific forces, especially the police.38 More than half
of the Administration’s September 2004 re-allocation of appropriations will go
toward greater spending on security. Among other items, the total increase of $1.8
billion over the previously allocated level of $3.2 billion for security will be used to
train and equip 45,000 new police, 16,000 new border enforcement personnel, and
20 additional Iraqi National Guard battalions.
34 Department of State, Working Papers: Iraq Weekly StatusReport, December 15, 2004.
35 “Iraqi Security Has Come Far, With Far to Go,” Washington Post, August 1, 2004;
“Wanted: Police Academy ASAP,” Washington Post, May 16, 2004; “Iraqi Battalion
Refuses to ‘Fight Iraqis’,” Washington Post, April 11, 2004; “Iraqi Police Suspected in
Slaying of Americans,” Washington Post, March 13, 2004; “Recruits Abandon Iraqi Army,”
Washington Post, December 13, 2003.
36 “Biggest Task for U.S. General Is Training Iraqis to Fight Iraqis,” New York Times, June
27, 2004.
37 “Delivery Delays Hurt U.S. Effort to Equip Iraqis,” New York Times, March 22, 2004.
Department of Defense, Working Papers: Iraq Update, July 13, 2004, pp. 24-25.
Department of State, Iraq Weekly Status Report, August 18, 2004, p. 21. “U.S. Needs More
Time to Train and Equip Iraqis,” New York Times, May 24, 2004.
38 “U.S. Says Police in Iraq Need Bolstering,” Washington Post, November 25, 2004. U.S.
Officials Say Iraq’s Forces Founder Under Rebel Assaults,” New York Times, November 30,
2004.
CRS-12
The Role of the United Nations
In what was perceived by analysts as an about-face in policy, the Bush
Administration began in early January 2004 to press the U.N. to return to Iraq and
play an active role in the political transition. Although France, Germany, and Russia,
among others, had long been urging the United Nations to assume a more active role
in Iraq, especially in assisting the political transition, U.N. Secretary General Kofi
Annan had been unwilling, since the dual bomb attacks in August and September
2003, to approve a renewed U.N. presence. Annan had said that the U.N. would not
return unless security was assured, its role was well-defined, and that the role was
commensurate with the risks involved.39 On January 27, 2004, he approved a
“technical” mission, headed by U.N. Iraq envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to evaluate the
political situation in the country. After repeated visits, Brahimi proposed a plan to
appoint a transition government which was accepted by the United States and the
Governing Council.40
At the same time that envoy Brahimi was negotiating the transition to
sovereignty, a U.N. team headed by Carina Perelli began working on assisting the
Iraqi Electoral Commission with the implementation of elections for a 275-member
National Assembly, now scheduled for January 30, 2005. Some analysts have
criticized the form of elections chosen by Ms. Perelli — party slates instead of single-
member constituencies.41 The U.N. continues to work on preparations for those
elections — thousands of registrars have been trained and 540 registration centers set
up around the country — but security concerns could impede progress. Recent
violence has forced closure of 90 registration sites. Currently, most U.N. work is
being conducted from outside Iraq, with only about 19 expatriates in Iraq and 600
Iraqi employees implementing activities. The U.N. has announced it will increase
its expatriate numbers, especially outside of Baghdad 42
The appointment on July 12 of Ashraf Jehangir Qazi as the new U.N. Special
Representative to Iraq and the August 12 approval of U.N. Security Council
Resolution 1557 extending the U.N. Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for another year
suggested a growing U.N. presence and activity in Iraq itself. However, Secretary
Annan has cautioned that continuing violence would prevent it from undertaking a
wide-ranging assistance program and Mr. Qazi has indicated that security is the “key
operating principle.”43 U.S. policy is to encourage U.N. involvement, and the United
States supports creation of a 4,000 member force to protect U.N. workers. Member
39 “Wary Annan Set to Discuss a Possible U.N. Role in Iraq,” Washington Post, January 19,
2004.
40 “Envoy Urges U.N.-Chosen Iraqi Government, Washington Post, April 15, 2004;
“Administration Split Over Role of U.N.,” Washington Post, February 18, 2004; “Annan
Sets Conditions for Sending U.N. Team to Iraq,” Washington Post, January 22, 2004; “U.N.
to Send Expert Team to Help in Iraq, Annan Says,” New York Times, January 28, 2004.
41 “The Wrong Elections for Iraq,” Washington Post, June 19, 2004.
42 “U.N. To Increase Its Staff in Iraq for Elections,” New York Times, December 16, 2004.
43 “‘Vicious Cycle of Violence’ Undermining U.N. Efforts to Rebuild Iraq,” UN News
Service, September 14, 2004.
CRS-13
states, however, have reportedly been reluctant to participate in such a force due to
political and security considerations. On November 30, the Security Council asked
the Secretary General to establish a trust fund account to finance a U.N. protection
force in Iraq. The EU has pledged $12 million for this purpose.44
U.S. Reconstruction Assistance
Among the key policy objectives laid out by the Bush Administration in
conjunction with the war in Iraq was the economic and political reconstruction of the
country. Discussion and debate within the United States government and abroad
have been ongoing regarding the strategy to reach these ends utilizing reconstruction
aid funds and the effectiveness of aid implementation.
With the dissolution of the CPA, U.S. influence in post-occupation Iraq is no
longer based on dictate but on persuasion by Ambassador Negroponte, with leverage
provided by the security support of the U.S. military and billions of dollars in
reconstruction aid. U.S. efforts to “remake” Iraq have been facilitated in part by the
presence of U.S. advisers attached to each of the Iraqi ministries to provide technical
expertise. With ministries now sovereign, U.S. advisers, in the words of one Iraqi
government official, have become “consultants.” Reportedly, about 150 Americans
remain attached to Iraqi ministries.45
Reconstruction Priorities
Reconstruction priorities have changed over time. The CPA’s reconstruction
priorities were reflected in the FY2004 supplemental appropriation approved by
Congress in October 2003. By the time of the transition, about 22% of total funds
were targeted on improving the security capabilities of the Iraqi government,
including training and equipment for police, army, and customs personnel. About
67% of funds were aimed at improvements in infrastructure — including electricity,
oil production, water and sewerage, transportation, and telecommunications — in
order to stabilize the country by creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
Technical assistance and small-scale grants in such areas as democratization, civil
society, microenterprise, education, economic policy, and health account for the
remainder of the appropriated FY2004 funds (about 10%).
The November 2003 agreement to accelerate the hand-over of sovereignty to
Iraqis led the Administration to revise plans in January 2004 for the use of
appropriations. With the exception of the oil sector where emergency supply efforts
44 “United Nations to Set Up Trust Fund for Iraq,” Washington File, November 30, 2004.
“U.S. and U.N. Are Once Again the Odd Couple Over Iraq,” New York Times, November
14, 2004; U.N. Security Council Votes to Extend Mandate in Iraq,” Washington Post,
August 13, 2004; “Security Fears are Slowing U.N. Return to Baghdad, New York Times,
August 6, 2004.
45 “Iraqis Start to Exercise Power Even Before Date for Turnover,” New York Times, June
13, 2004; “U.S. Has Leverage, But Wants to Show Iraqis Are in Charge,” New York Times,
June 29, 2004.
CRS-14
were cut by nearly $200 million, the broad categories of assistance were largely
unaffected. However, a number of funding changes were made within sectors. The
most significant change was an increase in the democratization effort — from $100
million to $458 million — reflecting the more intensive plan to prepare Iraqis to take-
over. Increases were made as well in funding for border enforcement (from $150 to
$300 million) and the civil defense corps (from $76 to $200 million). In addition,
roughly a third of the total appropriation — $5.8 billion, mostly intended for electric
power and water and sanitation rehabilitation — was extended out to FY2005. By
April 2004, the CPA had slightly revised its allocations, including adding $184
million for administrative expenses for operating costs of the post-June 28 U.S.
Mission in Iraq (taken from the water resources sector) and estimating a more rapid
spending plan, now leaving $4.6 billion for FY2005. The main July 2004 allocation
was a restoration of some water funding, and a decision to prorate all sectors equally
to derive funding to cover each agency’s program implementation costs.46
The September 14, 2004, Administration-proposed re-allocation of resources,
approved by Congress on September 29 in P.L. 108-309, reflects a review conducted
by the Iraq Reconstruction and Management Office and the U.S. Embassy country
team after the State Department took charge of Iraq non-military policy on June 28.
The review identified security needs, increased oil production, greater employment,
and democracy as the highest priorities, while suggesting that many large-scale
infrastructure projects were too slow and dependent on an improved security situation
to have an immediate impact. Security — mostly training and equipping Iraqi forces
— increases by $1.8 billion. Efforts to increase oil production capacity gains $450
million. Employment creation — a combination of USAID labor-intensive projects
and increased funding for the CERP — receives an additional $280 million.
Democracy programs geared toward assisting the pending elections grow by $180
million. General development programs — mostly conducted by USAID in the areas
of economic reform, private sector development, and agriculture — increase by $380
million. Presumably to demonstrate U.S. commitment to debt reduction prior to a
Paris Club discussion of the Iraq issue, the re-allocation draws on $360 million to
subsidize U.S. forgiveness of as much as $4 billion in bilateral Iraqi debt to the
United States.
In all, these sectors gained $3.46 billion of the $18.44 billion FY2004
supplemental appropriation. That amount was drawn from three sectors to which the
funds had originally been allocated — purchases of already refined imported oil (-
$450 million), water and sewerage (-$1.935 billion), and electricity (-$1.074 billion).
Most of the re-allocated funds — $2.7 billion — came out of amounts that had been
set aside for obligation in FY2005. Therefore, existing contracts are not affected by
the re-allocation.
Following this re-allocation, reconstruction aid priorities in Iraq, as determined
by the State Department, puts 32% of total FY2004 funds into security (versus 22%
previously), 16% into democratization and traditional development sectors (10%
before), and 51% into economic infrastructure (67%).
46 See Section 2207 Reports, OMB, January, April and July 2004 for details.
CRS-15
Table 2. Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (IRRF)
($ millions)
September
Prior
Obligations
Sector
2004 Re-
Exp.
Allocation
as of 12/15/04
Allocation
FY2004 Supplemental (P.L. 108-106)
Security and Law Enforcement
3,235
5,045
2,995
976
Justice, Public Safety, and
1,033
1,121
572
105
Civil Society
Democracy
451
832
576
162
Electricity
5,465
4,350
2,455
515
Oil Infrastructure
1,701
1,701
795
92
Water and Sanitation
4,246
2,311
882
39
Transport and
500
499
243
21
Telecommunications
Roads, Bridges, Construction
367
359
184
27
Health
786
786
420
13
Private Sector
183
843
322
50
Education, Refugees, Human
259
379
170
37
Rights, Governance
Administrative Expenses
213
213
29
29
Total FY2004 Supplemental
18,439
18,439
9,643
2,066
FY2003 Supplemental
2,475
2,418
1,768
(P.L. 108-11)
TOTAL IRRF
20,914
12,061
3,834
Sources: Section 2207 Report, October 2004. Department of State, Iraq Weekly Status Report,
December 15, 2004.
Reconstruction Programs
A wide range of reconstruction project work is underway. For a variety of
reasons, not least of which is the poor security situation, these efforts have produced
a somewhat mixed picture. The Iraqi government appears to be a functioning
concern, with ministries restocked with equipment following the massive looting that
occurred after the initial invasion. Health facilities are being rehabilitated, healthcare
providers trained, and children immunized. Neighborhood councils have been
established in 445 locations throughout the country. Nearly 2,000 grassroots projects
have been conducted through USAID grants ($92 million) provided to hundreds of
community action groups. School materials have been provided, schools inventoried,
and thousands of schools renovated. A broad range of economic policy reform
CRS-16
efforts have been initiated. Business centers have been set up throughout the country
and a micro-loan program established. A registration process for the January
elections is moving forward. More than 814 construction projects using FY2004
funds have broken ground.47
Positive claims for the success of reconstruction programs during the past 20
months, however, have been countered by reports of slow and ineffective
implementation. Only a few hundred of the 2,300 construction projects identified by
the Project and Contracting Office appear to have been completed. Objectives in
critical sectors, such as oil production and electric power generation, have not been
met. Electric power in September hovered just above the 100,000 Megawatt Hour
level compared to 95,600 MW before the war (it is currently at 77,000 due to Fall
maintenance needs) — the goal has been 120,000. Oil production reached a post-war
peak in late September at 2.67 million barrels/day, but is currently at 2.2 million
barrels/day and the goal is 2.8-3.0 million by December. Most of the Iraqi police
have not yet been trained. The one consistent bright spot among reconstruction
claims — a successful health program — is now marred by reports that acute
malnutrition among children has nearly doubled since the coalition invasion in
2003.48
A particular congressional concern has been the rate of implementation.49 One
Administration argument for the $18.4 billion appropriated in November 2003 was
the urgent need to demonstrate progress so as to employ Iraqis and win their hearts
and minds. However, as of end of March 2004, only about $2.2 billion of that $18.4
billion had been obligated, let alone expended. As of December 15, $9.6 billion
(52%) had been obligated, and $2.1 billion (11%) expended.50 Among reasons for
the slow progress were pressures to employ open and competitive bidding for most
47 Another 353 projects using Iraqi AIRP funds have been started. Charles Hess, DOD
Briefing, December 15, 2004. Department of State, Iraq Weekly Status Report, December
15, 2004; USAID, Iraq Reconstruction Weekly Update, December 15, 2004.
48 Department of State, Iraq Weekly Status Report, December 15, 2004; “Children Pay Cost
of Iraq’s Chaos,” Washington Post, November 21, 2004; Anthony Cordesman, “Figures
Indicate Challenging Transition Ahead in Iraq,” Scholar Statement, June 25, 2004, and
“Cleaning up the Mess,” July 7, 2004, Center for Strategic and International Studies; “U.S.
Handing Over An Unfulfilled Iraq,” Chicago Tribune, June 27, 2004; “Reality Intrudes on
Promises in Rebuilding of Iraq,” New York Times, June 30, 2004; “Death Stalks an
Experiment in Democracy,” Washington Post, June 22, 2004; “An Educator Learns the
Hard Way,” Washington Post, June 21, 2004; “In Race to Give Power to Iraqis, Electricity
Lags,” New York Times, June 14, 2004; “To Many, Mission Not Accomplished,”
Washington Post, June 3, 2004.
49 For example, see hearing on security assistance, House Foreign Operations Subcommittee,
Committee on Appropriations, April 29, 2004 and hearing on reconstruction assistance,
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, September 15, 2004.
50 Of the original $2.475 billion appropriated for the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund
in April 2003, only $1.504 billion, or 61%, had been disbursed by end of February 2004.
The same percentage had been expended ($1.522 billion) by June 30. Nearly all had been
obligated by then. Currently, 71% has been spent. Department of State, Iraq Weekly Status
Report, December 15, 2004. CPA Inspector General, Report to Congress, July 30, 2004.
CRS-17
of the new reconstruction contracts, last year’s inter-agency disputes over control of
the funds, and a variety of federal regulations. It also took significant time to plan
and design construction projects prior to breaking ground. Security concerns,
however, have been chiefly responsible for delaying reconstruction further.51 To
speed up the reconstruction process, in April CPA Ambassador Bremer initiated the
Accelerated Iraqi Reconstruction Program (AIRP) which utilizes Iraqi DFI funds
($383 million) to get work underway in ten cities. The AIRP effort is coordinated
with the use of CERP funds (see below).52 The recent re-allocation of reconstruction
funds is, in part, intended to speed up implementation, including the expanded use
of smaller projects.53 Further, Ambassador Negroponte has argued for greater
flexibility in the application of federal acquisition regulations.54 The FY2004
Defense Authorization (P.L. 108-375) would permit such regulations to be waived
for the CERP program (sec. 1201 (c)).
While most reconstruction activities provide needed infrastructure and services,
some far-reaching economic and political policy reforms promoted by the CPA
stirred controversy in Iraq, especially as they were viewed as imposed by an
occupying administration. For example, in a move to establish an open and free
market economy and obtain revenue to meet development needs, Ambassador
Bremer approved new laws in September 2003 abolishing all curbs on foreign direct
investment except in natural resources. According to the Financial Times, the
reforms were “near universally unpopular,” Iraqi businessmen and unions fearing
they would be unable to compete.55 Such laws and regulations could face resistance
and reversal under the new sovereign government, although the interim constitution
requires approval of a majority of the government’s ministers, president, and vice-
presidents to overturn existing laws. According to the press, CPA Administrator
Bremer issued 97 legal orders in the last two weeks of the occupation.56
On the other hand, as a result of the continuing instability and the accelerated
agreement to turn over sovereignty, some controversial positions which were favored
by Ambassador Bremer and his staff — privatization of state-owned business,
elimination of crop subsidies, and an end to the Oil for Food program’s free food
baskets — were put off entirely. Iraqi government officials would, reportedly, have
51 “Inching Along, One More Piece to Rebuild Iraq,” New York Times, October 17, 2004.
52 “Accelerated Iraq Reconstruction Effort Exceeds Goals and Schedules,” PCO, Iraq, July
4, 2004; CPA Inspector General, Report to Congress, October 30, 2004.
53 “U.S. Seeks to Provide More Jobs and Speed Rebuilding in Iraq,” New York Times, July
27, 2004.
54 “Iraq Commanders Warn That Delays in Civil Projects Undermine Military Mission,”
New York Times, October 17, 2004.
55 “Free-Market Iraq? Not So Fast,” New York Times, January 10, 2004; “Business Deals
May be Invalid, Experts Say,” Financial Times, October 29, 2003; “Governing Council Hits
at Minister Over Business Reform,” Financial Times, September 25, 2003; “Iraq Offering
Laws to Spur Investment From Abroad,” New York Times, September 21, 2003; “Economic
Overhaul for Iraq,” Washington Post, September 22, 2003.
56 “U.S. Edicts Curb Power of Iraq’s Leadership,” Washington Post, June 27, 2004.
“Reconstructing Iraq’s Economy,” Washington Quarterly, Autumn 2004.
CRS-18
preferred that the CPA bear the burden of such potentially destabilizing decisions
rather than leave them to a new Iraqi government.57
A new reconstruction concern is the effort to rapidly rehabilitate areas, such as
Fallujah, which have been the scene of intense military operations against insurgent
forces. U.S. officials argue that the post-battle reconstruction effort is as important
as the military effort to insure long-term Iraqi government control of these cities.
Nevertheless, some observers have criticized the glacial pace of the rehabilitation
effort in Najaf, and there are reported complaints of corruption and overpayments for
poorly done work. In the case of Fallujah, as of mid-December, it appears that little
reconstruction work has begun. According to State Department officials,
humanitarian supplies were pre-positioned and assessments were made of how to
restore essential services — electric power and water — prior to the completion of
the military operation. These basic assistance efforts will eventually be followed by
small projects to repair clinics and schools. Then larger projects — many already
planned but put on hold during the long period of insurgent domination in the city —
will be implemented. Officials estimate a combined Iraqi-U.S. aid effort of perhaps
$100 million to reconstruct Fallujah.58
Commanders Emergency Response Program (CERP). Drawn from
DFI Iraqi seized assets and oil profits and Department of Defense operational funds
rather than reconstruction appropriations, the CERP contributes to the reconstruction
effort by providing “walking around money” for the roughly 1,600 U.S. military civil
affairs officers throughout Iraq. Until the FY2005 DOD appropriation of up to $300
million in additional funds for the CERP, roughly $685 million — $546 million from
Iraqi resources — had been made available for this purpose. Provided in the form
of small grants — over 34,512 such projects totaling $578 million as of early October
— the CERP supports a wide variety of reconstruction activities at the village level
from renovating health clinics to digging wells to painting schools. In lieu of civilian
U.S. government or NGO aid personnel, who are not present in most of the country,
commanders identify local needs and dispense aid with few bureaucratic
encumbrances. The grants have been credited with helping the military better
exercise their security missions, while at the same time meeting immediate
neighborhood development needs.59 In an effort to stimulate employment, the State
Department re-allocation of assistance increases CERP funding by $86 million.
57 “Attacks Force Retreat From Wide-Ranging Plans for Iraq,” Washington Post, December
28, 2003; “Iraqis Face Tough Transition to Market-Based Agriculture,” Washington Post,
January 22, 2004; “Iraq Privatization Postponed for Now,” Dow Jones Newswires, October
27, 2003.
58 Department of Defense, News Briefing, Charles Hess and Bill Taylor, November 19,
2004; DOD briefing, Charles Hess, December 15, 2004; “Rebuilding What the Assault
Turns to Rubble,” Washington Post, November 10, 2004; “Pace of Rebuilding Najaf Causes
Friction,” New York Times, October 18, 2004; “In Fallujah’s Ruins, Big Plans and a Risk
of Chaos,” New York Times, December 1, 2004.
59 CPA Inspector General, Report to Congress, October 30, 2004; “Soldiering On to
Rebuild Iraq,” Washington Post, February 21, 2004; “The GI’s Weapon of Choice in Iraq:
Dollars,” Christian Science Monitor, January 29, 2004; “A Different Street Fight in Iraq,”
Washington Post, May 27, 2004.
CRS-19
Reconstruction Contract Issues.60 Dozens of U.S. and international
companies and NGOs are participating in the reconstruction of Iraq.61 (Many
contractors are also participating in military support operations — these are not
discussed in this report). In connection with implementation of the FY2004
Supplemental, the CPA set up an Iraq Program Management Office (PMO). In
post-occupation Iraq, it is now called the Project and Contracting Office (PCO). The
PCO coordinates infrastructure construction and monitors contracting and
expenditures in six sectors — transport and communications; electricity;
buildings/health; security/justice; public works/water resources; and oil. It more
generally manages and oversees use of the non-construction funds as well.
The PCO has largely supplanted government agencies traditionally responsible
for reconstruction program contracting as it implements the bulk of the FY2004-
funded programs. The main contracting agencies implementing FY2003 programs
are the Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for oil well repair and maintenance;
the Department of State, handling police training; and the Agency for International
Development (USAID), managing the widest range of economic, social, and political
development programs. Using FY2003 funds, USAID has awarded $1.8 billion in
contracts and grants in seaport and airport administration, capital construction,
theater logistical support, public health, primary and secondary education, personnel
support, local governance, agricultural development, and higher education. Utilizing
FY2004 funding, it is responsible for $2.3 billion to date, including a $1.8 billion
construction project contracted to Bechtel. USAID will continue to be responsible
for most activities related to social services, civil society, and policy reform.
Seeking to encourage economic growth and decrease unemployment, the CPA
made special efforts to insure that Iraqi business had an opportunity to participate in
contracts, including putting contract solicitations on its website and appointing
business liaison representatives. The extent to which firms plan to utilize Iraqi
services has been a factor in the awarding of contracts. Although U.S. government
requirements could be waived for Iraqi contractors, most work for Iraqi business has
come in the form of subcontracts. The PCO claims that hundreds of Iraqi firms are
currently working on U.S.-funded reconstruction projects, and that over 114,000
Iraqis are employed.62
An Administration decision applied to the FY2003 reconstruction contracts to
waive the normal competitive bidding requirements and request bids from specific
60 For further discussion on contract issues, see CRS Report RL32229, Iraq: Frequently
Asked Questions about Contracting.
61 For information on contract awards and solicitations, and business opportunities in Iraq, see
the following websites: the Iraq Project and Contracting Office [http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net];
USAID’s Iraq Reconstruction effort [http://www.usaid.gov/iraq/activities.html]; the Department
of Commerce (DOC) Iraq Reconstruction Task Force [http://www.export.gov/iraq/]; the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers [http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/cepa/iraq/iraq.htm] ; and the site for
recruiting of police trainers under the State Department-managed, DynCorp-implemented project
[http://www.policemission.com]. Companies interested in sub-contracting under any projects
should contact the winner of the award.
62 Department of State, Iraq Weekly Status Report, December 15, 2004.
CRS-20
companies which were seen to have preexisting qualifications received considerable
attention by the business community in 2003. U.S. officials explained then that only
a few select firms possessed the particular skills that would qualify them for the job
specifications for Iraq reconstruction, and that time and security clearances were also
critical factors. Other U.S. firms and foreign entities potentially excluded by “buy
America” provisions of law, they noted, could participate as sub-contractors to the
selected American firms.
Most FY2004-funded contracts are being competitively solicited, and the
FY2004 supplemental contains a provision requiring notification and justification to
Congress of any waiver of competitive rules. On December 5, 2003, Deputy
Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz issued a determination and findings report,
essentially limiting eligibility for prime contracts using FY2004 funds to U.S. firms
and those of 62 countries — including Iraq, coalition partner, and force contributing
nations. His rationale for barring other countries’ firms, including Germany and
France, was that it was “necessary for the protection of the essential security interests
of the United States.” Countries excluded from prime contracts could still participate
as sub-contractors. In what has been interpreted as an effort to gain greater
international cooperation on Iraq as well as a mark of State Department control over
Iraq policy following the June 28 transition, Administration officials indicated in
mid-2004 that the limitation on country eligibility would be reversed.63
The closed bidding and lack of transparency in early contracting and later
reports suggesting that U.S. and Iraqi funds are being squandered disturbed a number
of legislators.64 The FY2004 supplemental established an Inspector General for the
CPA. The CPA Inspector General has issued a number of audits and launched
dozens of investigations.65
In particular, it was the sole source contract for oil well repair (“Restore Iraqi
Oil” — RIO project) provided to Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR), a subsidiary of
63 “U.S. to End Ban on War Opponents from Getting Iraq Contracts,” Bloomberg, September
8, 2004; “Wider Support Prompts U.S. Rethink on Contracts,” Financial Times, July 21,
2004; “Pentagon Bars Three Nations From Iraqi Bids,” New York Times, December 10,
2003; “U.S. Pressed Over Iraq Contracts Ban,” Financial Times, December 12, 2003.
64 For example, a cement plant’s renovation, estimated to cost $15 million by U.S.
engineers, was repaired by Iraqis for $80,000. [Rep. Henry Waxman, letter to Joshua Bolten,
Director of OMB, September 26, 2003.] The Governing Council questioned a decision by
the CPA to spend $1.2 billion training 35,000 police in Jordan rather than in Iraq at, in its
view, “a fraction of the cost.” [“Iraqis Say U.S. Occupation Authority Misspends Million
in its Awarding of Contracts,” New York Times, October 4, 2003.] Press reports suggest that
ministry equipment is sold on the streets and reconstruction subcontracts are delivered for
bribes. [“Spoils of War,” National Public Radio, April 21-23, 2004.] The Department of
Defense Inspector General found numerous “irregularities” in contracting procedures
followed by DOD acquisition support for the CPA and its predecessor through August 2003.
Department of Defense Inspector General — Audit, Contracts Awarded for the Coalition
Provisional Authority by the Defense Contracting Command, Report No. D-2004-057,
March 18, 2004.
65 CPA Inspector General, Report to Congress, October 30, 2004. See CPA-IG website
[http://www.cpa-ig.org/] for audit reports to date.
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Halliburton, whose former chief executive is Vice-President Cheney, that was the
focus of media attention, raising concerns of favoritism and reinforcing suspicions
that the war was fought for oil. The repair work for this contract, conducted by KBR
for the Army Corps of Engineers, was valued at $2.5 billion to March 2004.66 In
summer 2003, the Corps announced that remaining oil repair work would be
competitively bid. However, KBR continued to carry out work orders on a non-
competitive basis pending a decision, finally reached on January 16, 2004, on two
new contracts collectively worth up to $2.0 billion.67 One of the new contracts —
worth up to $1.2 billion — was awarded to KBR.
KBR has also been the focus of two DOD audits — one related to its work
providing logistics support to the U.S. military under its competitively-bid LOGCAP
contract and the other for the importation of fuel for use by Iraqis under the RIO
project. In the latter case, KBR is suspected of overcharging by $61 million.68
Former KBR staff have come forward with accusations of wasteful spending.69 State
Department documents reportedly suggest that U.S. diplomats pressured KBR to use
the more expensive Kuwaiti contractor for fuel imports.70
Recent Assessments of Reconstruction. There have been dozens of
reports and articles during the past year that have sought to analyze, criticize, and
recommend action regarding the progress of reconstruction aid. Two of the most
recent ones are indicative of the others. Reconstructing Iraq, a September 2004
report from the International Crisis Group, examines the gamut of mistakes that many
agree were made prior to and during the occupation. These include the lack of a
reconstruction plan; the failure to adequately fund reconstruction early on; unrealistic
application of U.S. views to Iraqi conditions by, for example, emphasizing
privatization policy; the organizational incompetence of the CPA; shifting deadlines,
66 $815 million of this sum is Iraqi resources; $1.7 billion is from U.S. appropriations. The
figure does not include its profit margin of between 2% and 7%. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, March 2003 Contract Obligation Status, [http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/
cepa/iraq/oilfires.htm].
67 Jane Mayer, “Contract Sport,” New Yorker, February 16, 2004; “Iraq Contract Award
Delayed Again,” Houston Chronicle, December 2, 2003; “U.S. Delays Awarding 2 Iraq
Repair Contracts,” Washington Post, October 30, 2003; “Bush Seeks $2.1 Billion More for
Iraqi Oil Industry,” New York Times, September 13, 2003; “Halliburton’s Deals Greater
Than Thought,” Washington Post, August 28, 2003; “Halliburton’s Iraq Role is Expanded
to Oil Products Distribution,” Financial Times, May 8, 2003; “Halliburton Contracts Total
$50 million,” Financial Times, April 12, 2003; “U.S. to Request Bids for Work on Oil
Fields,” Washington Post, April 15, 2003; “Halliburton’s Links Sharpen Bids Dispute,”
Financial Times, March 27, 2003
68 In the former case, Halliburton is repaying the government $27.4 million in overcharges.
“Halliburton Will Repay U.S. Excess Charges for Troops’ Meals,” New York Times,
February 3, 2004; “Pentagon Asks for Probe of KBR Oil Deal,” Washington Post, January
16, 2004.
69 “Halliburton Staff Called to Testify on Wasteful Spending,” Financial Times, June 16,
2004.
70 “Halliburton May Have Been Pressured by U.S. Diplomats to Disregard High Fuel
Prices,” New York Times, November 11, 2004.
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such as the November decision to end the occupation seven months later; and the
inadequate utilization of Iraqis both in making policy and in implementing
reconstruction projects. The report draws on these failures to inform its
recommendations for the future. Recommendations for the U.S. government include
the suggestion that staff with expertise in post-conflict situations be utilized and
encouraged to serve in Iraq longer than six months; that Iraqis representing a range
of views participate in design and implementation of U.S. reconstruction projects;
that development of the Iraqi private sector be emphasized through greater use of
Iraqis as subcontractors; and that prime contractors be required to employ Iraqis as
much as possible.71
Progress or Peril? Measuring Iraq’s Reconstruction from the Center for
Strategic and International Studies (September 2004 and updated on November 12)
uses polling and personal interviews to attempt to measure the status of
reconstruction from the Iraqi point of view. It finds that security is the predominant
issue in Iraqi minds, and that governance is a largely negative picture. It suggests
that U.S. efforts are too focused on national level politics and that efforts to support
local political bodies are not backed by sufficient funding. A lack of economic
opportunity fuels anger and security problems, and the level of social services is also
undermining public confidence. An improvement in social well-being — health and
education — the only bright spot that the original report highlights, is less positively
portrayed in the update. The healthcare system is now viewed as deteriorating.
Recommendations include accelerating training of security forces, increasing more
direct assistance to Iraqis, giving priority to Iraq’s employment crisis, supporting the
return of the U.N. to provide election assistance, giving precedence to aid for Iraq’s
judicial sector, supporting the development of more responsive Kurdish regional
governments, mobilizing the Iraqi silent majority to counter the insurgents, and
giving Iraqis a stake in the country’s oil wealth.72
71 International Crisis Group, Reconstructing Iraq, September 2, 2004. Available at
[http://www.icg.org/home/index.cfm ].
72 Center for Strategic and International Studies, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project,
Frederick Barton and Bathsheba Crocker, Co-Directors, Progress or Peril? Measuring
Iraq’s Reconstruction, September 2004, and November 12 Update. Available at
[http://www.csis.org/].