Problems plague rebuilding of war-torn Afghanistan

[laststeamtrain]

Source: AP

Problems plague rebuilding of war-torn Afghanistan

By RICHARD LARDNER (AP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — U.S. agencies handling reconstruction work in Afghanistan lack direction and communication, problems that risk wasting U.S. tax dollars, says the special inspector general overseeing tens of billions of dollars worth of projects.

Inspector General Arnold Fields says that coordination between the Americans and the Afghans is poor, leading to a disjointed effort and slowing progress on critically needed improvements to the country's transportation, agriculture and energy production.

"The more we move around and the more we conduct our audit work, the evidence is compounding that there is a lack of oversight and follow through," says Fields, who returned July 19 from his fifth trip to Afghanistan since he was appointed last year.

He also said that "there isn't always a direct connection between what the Afghans feel that they need and what the reconstruction effort is delivering." Since 2002, the U.S. has committed $32 billion to Afghanistan's reconstruction. With President Barack Obama ordering more civilian and military personnel there to quell a growing insurgency, that figure is expected to rise to nearly $50 billion by 2010, according to a quarterly report released Wednesday by Fields' office.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jpbe3aXQP7ogN5hvCmO_xTbYXpLAD99PA4B00

[Why Syzygy]

1. good gawd

And meanwhile American citizens die of poverty.

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

"U.S. agencies handling reconstruction work in Afghanistan lack direction and communication.."

Snort

[Union Yes]

3. Problems plague rebuilding poverty stricken America.

[pattmarty]

4. The only thing I can say about the headline is, no fucking shit.

[No Elephants]

5. Ya'd think $50 billion would go a long way in Afghanistan.

[gimama]

6. Pvt. contractors...ate up how much of the big bucks to get NOT MUCH done?

Iraq still lacks power, clean water & sewage systems,in most areas,too.
IMO, a BIG part of the frustration/violence in BOTH countries.
People here get cranky when the lights go out a few hours..especially in summer.