• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

UK to contribute just over 1 per cent of Iraq reconstruction cost

IRNA

London, Oct 11, IRNA -- The British government is to pledge a total 
commitment of pnds 550 million (dlrs 850 m) to the postwar 
reconstruction of Iraq over three years, equivalent to just over one 
percent the UN estimate. 
The British contribution includes pnds 200m already committed and 
pnds 300m, including bilateral funds and the UK`s share of proposed 
European Union spending, which is to be announced by International 
Development Secretary Hilary Benn next week. 
World Bank and UN estimates suggest Iraq will need dlrs 56 billion
over the next four years for reconstruction, including the 
rehabilitation of electricity, health, water, transport, 
telecommunications and education systems. 
The Financial Times reported Saturday that there was little leeway
for extra British spending because weak tax revenues have meant that 
government borrowing is already overshooting forecasts made by 
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown. 
It quoted Benn saying that the commitment to Iraq would not 
involve any reduction in planned development expenditure for low- 
income countries. 
The announcement of Britain`s contribution comes ahead of a 
meeting of donor countries in Madrid on October 23 and 24 to discuss 
Iraq`s needs. 
Difficulties have been forecast in gaining contributions from many
donor countries unless an agreement is reached on a new Security 
Council resolution to give the UN a bigger role in post-war Iraq. 
HC/AH/210 
End