Report: U.S. Spent $1.2B to Rebuild Iraq (less than 7%)

[RedEarth]

WASHINGTON - Less than seven percent of the $18.4 billion that Congress approved last year to rebuild Iraq (news - web sites) has been spent, the Bush administration said Wednesday in its latest report on progress there.

The State Department report, which said just under $1.22 billion had been spent through Sept. 22, affirmed anew that the U.S. effort to speed an Iraqi economic recovery is lagging well behind initial plans.


The figure was no surprise because each of the administration's three previous quarterly reports have shown how slowly American expenditures are actually getting out the door. U.S. officials have blamed the ongoing insurrection and bureaucratic delays.


Wednesday's report was released in the middle of a presidential campaign in which Democratic candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) has accused President Bush (news - web sites) of lacking an effective postwar plan for Iraq.


In January, the Bush administration said it expected to have spent $12.7 billion by this past Oct. 1.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=ap/iraq_spending

[napi21]

1. Isn't that what Edwards said last night and cheney said his

figures were just wrong?

[thecrow]

2. Did he say that into his hands or with a snarl?

Just asking :)

[Barrett808]

3. $2 million for health care

Definitely on course of a US-style health-care system.

[indepat]

4. What's going to be done with that money: Who will get it?

[GHOSTDANCER]

5. Lets not forget the 3 Billion they just took away from rebuilding fund

for more security "wink wink"

[teryang]

6. But the insurgents attacks were of "no tactical significance"

...according to the reports of CENTCOM and the CPA. How could it have obstructed the "rebuilding" effort?