15 February 2005

U.S. Obligations to Iraq Reconstruction Exceed $13 Billion

Special inspector general monitors reconstruction funds

The United States has obligated more than $13 billion to reconstruction efforts in Iraq and has already disbursed more than $5 billion, according to a statement from the State Department in response to a question taken at the February 14 daily press briefing.

Following is the question and the response, from the official transcript of the briefing:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
February 14, 2005

QUESTION TAKEN AT THE FEBRUARY 14, 2005 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

Iraq: Reconstruction Spending

Question:  What is the current breakdown of funds for Iraq reconstruction?  Who maintains oversight authority over the spending for Iraq reconstruction?

Answer:  As of February 9, 2005, of the $20.9 billion (Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund I and Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund II) allocated to the reconstruction effort in Iraq, approximately $13.4 billion has been obligated and over $5.0 billion has been disbursed.

As part of the FY 05 Defense Authorization Act, Congress re-designated the office of the CPA Inspector General as the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction.  Under this new mandate, Stuart W. Bowen, Jr. serves as the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, providing independent and objective conduct and supervision of audits and investigations relating to reconstruction programs funded by the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund.  Mr. Bowen reports to both the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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