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Iraqi border police officers stand guard near the Al-Sheiba oil refinery in the southern Iraq city of Basra, May 24, 2005. The United States is paying out about $200 million a week to contractors involved in rebuilding Iraq, where insurgents have slowed down ambitious U.S.-funded reconstruction plans. Bill Taylor, the outgoing U.S. official overseeing rebuilding work in Iraq, said in an interview on May 24 that projects were moving ahead despite soaring security costs, which U.S. auditors say can chew up half of the funding. (Atef Hassan/Reuters)

U.S. official defends rebuilding work in Iraq

Wed May 25,11:45 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is paying out about $200 million a week to contractors involved in rebuilding Iraq, where insurgents have slowed down ambitious U.S.-funded reconstruction plans.

Bill Taylor, the outgoing U.S. official overseeing rebuilding work in Iraq, said in an interview on Tuesday projects were moving ahead despite soaring security costs, which U.S. auditors say can chew up half of the funding.

Taylor, who is set to finish his assignment in Iraq on Thursday, gave a more modest estimate and said security costs amounted to an average 10-15 percent of the overall price.

"That is still a lot of money to be spending to secure ourselves ... but you have to pay a little bit of a higher price because of the insurgency," he said in a telephone interview from Baghdad.

After the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Congress appropriated $18.4 billion to rebuild Iraq's shattered infrastructure.

But two years later, Iraqis complain their electricity grid is more fragile than ever and promises to improve their daily lives have not materialized.

Criticism has also been rife in Congress, where hearings focus on the pace of rebuilding, contractor abuse and the award of billions of dollars of work to companies with close ties to the Bush administration such as Texas-based Halliburton, which was once run by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Taylor strongly rejects suggestions the rebuilding program has not had an impact and points to completed projects as proof.

He said the United States was paying out about $200 million a week to contractors and $5.3 billion had been disbursed in total of the $18.4 billion. A further $12.9 billion had been "obligated," or put under contract.

"This is not a stalled program. This is a program going forward very fast," he said.

CONTRACTORS TARGETED

Taylor said in the past 10 months, 57 U.S.-funded electricity projects, ranging from big to small, had been completed and 103 more were in progress.

Rebuilding has carried huge risks for contractors who have been targets for kidnappings and attack by insurgents.

U.S. Department of Labor statistics indicate as of March 31, 276 civilians had died while working on U.S. government-funded contracts in Iraq.

The statistics do not state the cause of death but most are believed to be at the hands of insurgents rather than for medical reasons, vehicle or other accidents.

Taylor will be returning to the State Department where his job will be to look at what lessons can be learned from Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was assigned before.

"The main lesson I think is that it's important when looking at both Afghanistan and Iraq to get the Afghans and the Iraqis in charge quickly ... That is the key to success," Taylor said.

In the early days of reconstruction, the United States restricted contracts to U.S. companies and those from countries which supported the U.S. invasion. The focus has now shifted to getting Iraqi companies and the new ministries involved.

In a pilot program this year, the United States gave contracting authority to Iraq's construction ministry to build two bridges and a freeway with U.S. funds. Previously, U.S. agencies handled contracts.

"That process is already off to a very good start and if it continues that way it will be a successful program we will want to emulate," said Taylor of the pilot program.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualty No. 518-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Christopher S. Perez, 30, of Hutchinson, Kan., died May 23 from wounds received as a result of an indirect fire attack while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty No. 517-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2005

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Charles T. Wilkerson, 30, of Kansas City, Mo., died May 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an unknown ordnance detonated near his tent. Wilkerson was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colo.

Seaman Apprentice Vincent L. Carrillo stands watch on the flight deck of the USS Harry S. Truman, Feb. 4, 2003. The Truman and Carrier Air Wing 3 were on a six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Seaman Ryan O'Connor, USN

'Defending Freedom' Highlights Work of Sailors, Marines

By K.L. Vantrtan

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2005 – Hundreds of color photos depicting the trials and triumphs of the Navy and Marine Corps troops during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom adorn the pages of "Defending Freedom," a new hardcover coffee-table book.

Proceeds of the book's sale will be used to provide financial assistance to sailors, Marines and their families.

Defending Freedom shines a spotlight on the phenomenal work of Navy and Marine photographers and the marvelous jobs the troops are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, said John W. Alexander, the book's designer and co-editor.

Alexander, who has published four other books, said he was honored to volunteer his time on this project.

"I was pleased to do it," said Alexander, director of communications for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. "I love working on books like this."

"This collection of images taken by military photographers and journalists vividly depicts the heroism, courage and compassion of our men and women in uniform who are opposing terrorism and its despicable acts of hatred and violence," Navy Secretary Gordon R. England noted in the book's foreword.

England has since been appointed acting deputy secretary of defense.

"This book, filled with poignant images of our magnificent men and women in uniform, brings to life the inspirational service they perform so valiantly every day," England added.

Navy Chief Petty Officer Johnny Bivera, who has more than 18 years of service, said he was originally going to serve one tour as a sailor, but photography turned out to be such an exciting career that he kept re-enlisting.

Bivera has several photos featured in Defending Freedom.

"It's great to have been part of this book," he said. "There's nothing like sharing your work in print, but more so in a book that will last a long time and be viewed by many people.

"It's also an honor to share the pages with so many of my colleagues," he added. "They're all great photographers."

Navy Chief Petty Officer Kevin Tierney, who has 17 years of service, echoed Bivera's thoughts.

The best part of being a military photographer, Tierney said, is "getting to see the best and brightest of this nation pulling together for the common good of man." The worst, he added, is seeing the suffering of humanity.

Tierney was on hand for autographs at the book's debut in March during the Sea, Air, Space Exposition here.

"I heard nothing but rave reviews," the military photographer said. "It's excellent to see a product shot and produced by Navy and Marine Corps photographers. It's just an incredible book."

Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) leave the top ramp area of the USS Bataan, Dec. 12, 2001, as they head for a helicopter ride to the war zone. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group was operating in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Johnny Bivera, USN

The back inside cover of the book contains a DVD which features three products: "Operation Enduring Freedom: The Opening Chapter," "Operation Iraqi Freedom: Chapter II" and "Power of Teamwork." A CD also that contains high-resolution photos, those that are in the book as well as 250 others.

The book is available through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Requests can be made by e-mail, alexande@hq.nmcrs.org, or phone, (703) 696-1904.