Government of Iraq making progress (Baghdad)

BAGHDAD – A safer and more secure environment has not only brought Iraqis and their neighbors out of their homes to enjoy life, but has given the Government of Iraq a chance to reconnect with its citizens.

Over the last 15 months, leaders with the Multi-National Division - Center have seen where the GoI has made significant headway in its administration of security, governance and reconstruction.

“There have been positive steps: better budget execution, better distribution of services, more involvement with civil organizations. The list goes on,” said Brig. Gen. Edward Cardon, deputy commanding general for support for MND-C. “There is still much work to do, but clearly the security situation has opened a window of opportunity for the government to work and we are seeing progress.”

These developments are particularly evident in MND-C, the region south and southeast of Baghdad.

This secured environment has allowed the GoI to extend its reach to provincial, qada and nahia levels. Task Force Marne Soldiers and U.S. Department of State provincial reconstruction teams have helped develop a system that bridges these local institutions with GoI ministries and representatives.

Iraqi officials routinely fly to rural communities to meet with councils and labor organizations to learn about the challenges they face and coordinate GoI resources to address these problems.

This arrangement has substantially increased the scale of GoI funding and involvement, dramatically impacting the quality of life for Iraqis. For example, last year, the GoI spent $1 million in the Mada'in Qada; so far this year, they've spent $86.1 million.

Within MND-C, these initiatives include a canal cleaning in Jurf as Sakhr, a new bridge in Hawr Rajab and an elementary school refurbishment in al-Buaytha, to name a few.

Another way the GoI is strengthening its role in rebuilding Iraq is the GoI Commanders Emergency Response Program (I-CERP). This program, which kicked off earlier this month, uses GoI money to fund projects through the existing framework of the Coalition force’s CERP.

To date, the GoI has committed $300 million to I-CERP, of which MND-C has received about $56 million for the provinces in the TF Marne operational environment.

I-CERP specifically contributes to reconstruction projects that promote self-sufficiency, such as schools, water purification plants, health clinics, city planning facilities, roads, sewers, irrigation and construction.

“Due to the improved security environment, governance, economic development and reconstruction have come to the forefront,” Cardon said. “While these areas have not advanced as fast as everyone - including Iraqis on the street - would like, there is clear evidence that improvements are being made in every area.”

As the capabilities of the Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army improve, Iraqi Security Forces are increasingly assuming the lead in kinetic operations and maintaining security.

Last fall, for example, Task Force Marne handed over complete control of security in Karbala to ISF. The ISF has proved itself remarkably successful in preserving peace and stability in the province.

Even in the more tumultuous provinces, security is progressively shifting from the duty of Coalition forces to ISF. During the past two large-scale operations in MND-C -- Marne Piledriver and Marne Dauntless -- the ISF assumed the lead role, with TF Marne Soldiers in support. Through these efforts, ISF is clearing some of the last bastions of al-Qaeda in the TF Marne OE.

That level of inertia will not be easily overcome. The prospects of a civil war ever breaking out are becoming more remote by the day. What a testament to our military and the Iraqi government.

Newsmax.com

Pentagon Lost $15 Billion in Iraq: Audit
Friday, May 23, 2008 10:44 PM

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon cannot account for nearly 15 billion dollars in payments for goods and services in Iraq, according to an internal audit which members of Congress blasted Friday as a “shocking” accountability failure.

Of 8.2 billion dollars in US taxpayer-funded defense contracts reviewed by the defense department’s inspector general, the Pentagon could not properly account for more than 7.7 billion dollars.

The lack of accountability of the funds, intended for purchases of weapons, vehicles, construction equipment and security services, amounted to a 95 percent failure rate in basic accounting standards, according to the report.

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