Reply #4: Senator Hagel: "we are in deep trouble.'' [View All]

[NewYorkerfromMass]

Lawmakers concerned about shift in Iraq reconstruction funds
By Ken Guggenheim, Associated Press, 9/15/2004 14:07

WASHINGTON (AP) The Bush administration's plans to divert $3.46 billion in Iraq reconstruction funds for security could increase dangers in the long run, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said Wednesday....

State Department officials appeared before Lugar's panel seeking lawmakers' support for the shift of funds, which needs congressional approval. The proposal would cover almost of a fifth of the $18.4 billion approved by Congress last year, mostly for water, electricity and other public works projects. The money was part of an $87 billion package for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The request comes as heavy fighting continues between U.S.-led forces and a variety of Iraqi insurgents. The violence and bureaucratic delays have slowed spending of reconstruction funds. Lugar said only $1.14 billion has been spent as of Sept. 8, almost a year after it had been approved by Congress. ...

''If the shift of these funds slows down reconstruction, security may suffer in the long run. In short, security and reconstruction must be achieved simultaneously,'' he said.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., described the request as ''an acknowledgment that we are in deep trouble.'' ....

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/259/wash/Lawmakers_concerned_about_shifP.shtml