Lack of planning, corruption plague rebuilding in Iraq

[struggle4progress]

Craig S. Smith, New York Times
September 25, 2005 HOBB0925

NAJAF, IRAQ -- In April, Najaf's main maternity hospital received rare good news: an $8 million refurbishment program financed by the United States would begin immediately. But five months and millions of dollars later, the hospital administrators say they have little but frustration to show for it.

"They keep saying there's renovation but, frankly, we don't see it," said Liqaa al-Yassin, director of the hospital, her exasperated face framed by a black hijab, or scarf. "Each day I sign in 80 workers, and sometimes I see them, sometimes I don't." <snip>

The United States has poured more than $200 million into reconstruction projects in this city, part of the $10 billion it has spent to rebuild Iraq. Najaf is widely cited by the military as one of the success stories in that effort, but U.S. officers involved in the rebuilding say that reconstruction projects there, as elsewhere in the country, are hobbled by poor planning, corrupt contractors and a lack of continuity among the rotating coalition officers charged with overseeing the spending.

"This country is filled with projects that were never completed or were completed and have never been used," said a frustrated civil affairs officer who asked not to be identified because he had not been cleared to speak about the reconstruction. <snip>

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5630412.html

[Erika]

1. And Charity Hospital has been doomed here

You think W will show any interest in rebuilding? Largely, the GOP says we can't afford rebuilding our infrastructure.

[Daphne08]

2. Where are all the oversight committees

concerned with spending in Iraq?

Republicans are so worried about bustin' the budget for the Gulf Coast here in America, but when it comes to Iraq... they don't seem to give a damn. :mad:

[cassiepriam]

3. Situation normal, all F'ed up.

American, what a country.