More Good News From Iraq

The good news is that the United States has a Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. The good news, in turn, offers a sober assessment of American reconstrution efforts: projects completed, targets met or not met.

The report found that almost all of the nearly $20 billion in reconstruction funds appropriated by Congress in 2003 has been allocated. More than half of the projects to be undertaken with that money have been completed, and many more are underway. In the medical field, for example, only 15 of 141 primary health-care centers have been completed -- and only eight of those are open to the public -- but 126 projects are slated to be finished by the end of the year.

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The United States has spent almost $2 billion to provide drinkable water and improve sewer systems. The goal of reconstruction was to bring clean water to 8.4 million Iraqis, but with 88 percent of potable water projects complete, the current figure is 5.6 million, according to the report.

In other areas, the report cites success. Bank officials were trained in distributing small-business loans. Automated tax-collection and accounting systems were installed. Veterinary clinics were renovated. And 114 border forts have been completed.

Bowen, the inspector general, said there have been significant achievements in reconstruction and that much of the responsibility for sustaining progress is gradually shifting to Iraqis. "The U.S. mission in Iraq was to make an important and robust start in the recovery of national infrastructure with Iraq having to complete that mission," Bowen said. Iraqis must curb corruption, he said, and better spend their own money allocated for reconstruction.

The report is a quarterly assessment of efforts and results and can point to some real successes, the kind of projects soldiers show off as proud achievements that make their mission worthwhile. The also notes that lack of security severely hampers reconstruction efforts and even compromises its successses when children cannot attend the newly renovated schools for fear of death.

The Inspector General's report is welcome objectivity in an area where clear thinking and assessment is in short supply. Of course, I'm partial to inspectors general and performance auditors generally since I spent most of my career as an auditor-evaluator and appreciate what thoughtful, objective review and oversight can contribute to public management. So I am pleased to see my colleagues working in Iraq to keep our efforts as on track as possible. No doubt it is dangerous work but without it, how would we know?

The military effort could use a similar evaluation. Most recently a Lieutenant Colonel published an article strongly criticizing the failure of the Army's general officer corps to meet its obligation for realistic, clear assessment and advice to civilian policy makers on the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The critique is not as official as the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, but it is serious and sober. Dave at The Galloping Beaver has some good commentary on the article and its meaning.

postscript

Keep in mind, that reconstruction is only one step.