The Bush administration has ordered a major reorganization of U.S. efforts to quell violence in Iraq and Afghanistan and to speed the reconstruction of both countries, the New York Times reported, citing top administration officials.
In its Monday edition, the newspaper said the fresh effort includes the establishment of an "Iraq Stabilization Group," which will be run by the national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice.
The decision to set up the new group, five months after Bush declared the end of "active combat" in Iraq, seems to be part of an effort to assert more direct White House control over how the U.S. coordinates its efforts to "fight terrorism, develop political structures and encourage economic development" in both countries, the paper said.
"The (U.S.) president knows his legacy, and maybe his re-election, depends on getting this right," an administration official said. "This is as close as anyone will come to acknowledging that it's not working." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
