Iraqi officials urged donor countries to honor their pledges for reconstruction at a conference in Tokyo on Wednesday. It is the first international conference on the issue since sovereignty was handed over to an Iraqi interim government June 28.
A total of 55 states and organizations were attending the two-day event, including some that opposed the US-led invasion - Russia, France and Germany.
During last year's meeting in Spain, some 40 countries and organizations promised $13.6 billion in grants and loans to Iraq. However, just over $1 billion has been deposited in World Bank and U.N. funds, due mainly to concerns about security in Iraq.
Foreign officials claim reconstruction efforts are suffering under the current security threat and instability.
On his part, Iraqi Planning Minister Mehdi Hafedh vowed his country would boost efforts to improve national security and police forces, and raise oil production. According to him, some 5,000 new policemen start duties every week and the size of the Iraqi border guard force is expected to be doubled by the outset of 2005.
During the meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said Japan will provide $40 million to help Iraq hold parliamentary elections in January. The money will come from the $490 million that Tokyo has contributed to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq.
Last year, Japan pledged $5 billion for the reconstruction of Iraq, of which $1.5 billion will be disbursed in the form of grant aid by the end of 2004 and the remaining $3.5 billion to be offered in yen loans from 2005 to 2007. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
