VOA常速英语2007年-US Oversight Officials Report Iraq Reconstructi

U.S. oversight¹ officials say attacks in Iraq against coalition² forces in September dropped to their lowest levels since mid-2006. But they also report that efforts by the U.S. and Iraqi to rebuild the country are being hindered by a lack of strategic planning as well as widespread corruption⁴ in Iraqi ministries⁵. Leta Hong Fincher has more.

The Office of the Special Inspector⁶ General for Iraq Reconstruction⁷ says that since 2003, the United States, Iraq and other donors⁸ have devoted⁹ more than $100 billion to rebuilding Iraq. But the inspector general indicates the reconstruction efforts are dogged by failures.

Inspectors¹⁰ point to the Mosul Dam, which U.S. officials warn is in danger of collapse¹¹. The U.S. project, to fix what the Army Corps¹² of Engineers now calls the "most dangerous dam in the world," has cost $27 million.

Yet Special Inspector Stuart Bowen, Jr. said at a congressional hearing Tuesday the spending has yielded few benefits. "These contracts were meant to fulfill¹³ that -- they failed. And they were supposed to provide for the construction of five grout-mixing vehicles and also something called the Intelli-grout system, $16 million for it. It's not being used. My inspectors found that one of the mixers was built; two were partially¹⁴ built and two not built."

Bowen told a panel of the House Appropriations¹⁵ Committee that tens of thousands of people would be killed if the Mosul dam fails.

Bowen cited some improvements in Iraq: Attacks on coalition forces dropped in recent months to their lowest level since June 2006, and Iraq's electrical output reached its highest levels in recent months since the 2003 invasion.

A General Accounting¹⁶ Office report states U.S. efforts to rebuild Iraq "lack strategies with clear purpose" and performance measures.

Joseph Christoff, the General Accounting Office head of international affairs and trade added, "The U.S. government wants to try to help in some fashion. We spent over $300 million to try to build the budgeting and procurement¹⁷ and contracting skills in the Iraqi ministries. But the question always remains¹⁸: Are we effectively helping¹⁹ to build the capabilities²⁰ of corrupt³ ministries?"

Christoff says future reductions in violence depend on developing capable Iraqi security forces. But he says these forces have high rates of absenteeism, divided loyalties²¹ and limited logistical capabilities. "Since 2003, the United States has provided $19.2 billion to train and equip 360,000 Iraqi soldiers and police officers. But as of September 2007, as reported last month by General [David] Petraeus [Commander of the Multinational²² forces in Iraq], only about 10 of the 140 army, national police and special operation units are operating independently."

Christoff adds that the Iraqi government has so far met only one of eight legislative²³ benchmarks intended to promote national reconciliation²⁴.