Text 1844, 75 rader
Skriven 2005-12-07 23:33:48 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0512076) for Wed, 2005 Dec 7
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Setting the Record Straight
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For Immediate Release
December 7, 2005

Setting the Record Straight



Rep. Pelosi Downplays Progress In Iraq

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Tries To Talk Down Progress In Iraq. "In his
speech today, President Bush offered anecdotes about economic progress in
Iraq; he neglected to point out that oil production is flat, that the
generation of electricity is below pre-invasion levels in many areas, and
that unemployment is estimated to be 40 percent or more. Those facts
produce frustration that only aids the insurgency. The reconstruction
effort in Iraq has faltered in large part because the President's policies
have not made Iraq secure." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Press Release, 12/7/05)

But Progress Has Been Made On All The Issues Rep. Pelosi Mentioned.

    Oil Production Has Increased Since 2003. "Oil production increased from
    an average of 1.58 million barrels per day in 2003, to an average of
    2.25 million barrels per day in 2004." ("National Strategy For Victory
    In Iraq," The White House, 11/30/05)

    American-Funded Projects "Have Added Or Restored Over 2,700 Megawatts
    To The National Grid." IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE
    DIRECTOR DAN SPECKHARD: "We have focused heavily on repairs to the
    electricity infrastructure, which was left extremely fragile after
    decades of neglect under the previous regime. Roughly half of the
    current generation today is the result of U.S.-funded projects. Over
    220 projects are either complete or in progress and have added or
    restored over 2,700 megawatts to the national grid." (Department Of
    Defense, Press Briefing, Baghdad, Iraq, 11/14/05)

      þ The Rapid Contracting Initiative Is Working With Local Iraqi Firms
        To Complete Power Projects Quickly. "Under the Rapid Contracting
        Initiative (RCI), the US Project and Contracting Office (PCO)
        Electricity Sector has awarded nearly 200 of a total of 250
        projects. To date, close to 60 projects have been completed. RCI
        focuses on direct contracting of smaller projects such as 11 to 33
        kilovolt substations, laying of power cables, installation of power
        poles and running of overhead power lines. Benefits of this program
        include reduced security costs, enhanced Iraqi project ownership,
        increased Iraqi employment, contracting opportunities for local
        firms and quicker completion time of projects." ("Iraq Weekly
        Status Report," Department Of State, 11/16/05)

    Entrepreneurial Activity In Iraq Is Leading To Lower Unemployment
    Rates. "Considering the increase in entrepreneurial activity after the
    end of the war, we have for the purposes of this database assumed that
    there has been an improvement in unemployment levels, and hence
    weighted information supporting such a conclusion heavier than
    contradictory data reports." ("Iraq Index," The Brookings Institution,
    12/5/05)

      þ Since April 2003, 30,000 New Businesses Have Started In Iraq.
        "Since April 2003, Iraq has registered more than 30,000 new
        businesses, and its stock market (established in April 2004)
        currently lists nearly 90 companies with an average daily trading
        volume over $100 million (from January to May 2005), up from an
        average of $86 million in 2004." ("National Strategy For Victory In
        Iraq," The White House, 11/30/05)

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