U.S., Iraqi officials seek funds for electrical and water sectors
October 13, 2004
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has invited international donors to raise their commitment to Iraqi reconstruction, particularly in the humanitarian sectors of electricity and water infrastructure, following the United States' decision to shift $3.46 billion in funds away from these areas and into programs aimed at strengthening Iraq's security forces.
"I have no doubt that many of those who pledged monies at Madrid a year ago are looking for sectors in which to put those pledges and I think the electrical and water area are two areas which will find great favor internationally," Armitage told reporters, following the October 13 Iraqi Donors' Conference in Tokyo.
The deputy secretary thanked Japan for its leadership in sponsoring the conference as well as its continued commitment of troops for humanitarian activities in Samawah, Iraq. He said that the Japanese involvement in Iraq serves as "a sort of a signal or a landmark to other countries who want to involve themselves in humanitarian activities."
Armitage said that U.S. disbursements from the $18.4 billion supplemental appropriation for Iraqi reconstruction now amount to $1.4 billion, and that U.S. officials aim to step up disbursements to a rate of $400 million per month.
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