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Skriven 2007-07-13 23:30:58 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (070713) for Fri, 2007 Jul 13
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Fact Sheet: Expanded Provincial Reconstruction Teams Speed the Transition
to Self-Reliance
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 13, 2007

Fact Sheet: Expanded Provincial Reconstruction Teams Speed the Transition
to Self-Reliance

ÿÿWhite House News

ÿÿÿÿÿ President Bush Participates in Video Teleconference with Iraq
Provincial Reconstruction Team Leaders, Embedded Provincial Reconstruction
Team Leaders, and Brigade Combat Commanders ÿÿÿÿÿ In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

"Much of the progress we are seeing is the result of the work of our
Provincial Reconstruction Teams. These teams bring together military and
civilian experts to help local Iraqi communities pursue reconciliation,
strengthen moderates, and speed the transition to Iraqi self-reliance."

- President George W. Bush 6/28/07

Under The President's New Way Forward For Iraq, The Provincial
Reconstruction Team (PRT) Program Has Expanded. PRTs are joint
civilian-military units that support local leaders and empower provincial
authorities by working closely with the communities they serve. The
expansion of this joint Department of State-Department of Defense mission
will employ both civilian and military resources toward a common strategic
plan.
  þ The Total Number Of PRTs Has Increased To 20 With The Creation Of Ten
    PRTs Embedded With U.S. Brigade Combat Teams; Personnel Are Increasing
    From 290 To Over 600, With Approximately 410 Now Deployed In The Field.
    Additional personnel also continue to be deployed to the original PRTs.
    The teams include American diplomats, military officers, development
    experts, and other specialists in fields such as law, engineering,
    industrial development, urban planning, and agribusiness from many U.S.
    departments and the private sector.
  þ Ten Of the New PRTs Are Embedded With U.S. Brigade Combat Teams In
    Baghdad, Anbar, And North Babil Provinces.
  þ Four Additional Embedded PRTs Are Planned For The Outer Baghdad Area.
    Another PRT Is Planned In Wasit Province Southwest Of Baghdad, Bringing
    The Eventual Total Number Of PRTs To 25.

Strategic Purpose Of The PRT Mission
  þ The Embedded PRTs Serve As Powerful Tools In Achieving Our
    Counterinsurgency Strategy By:
      þ Bolstering Moderates. Using a decentralized approach to reach out
        beyond the central government to identify and empower those who
        reject violence as a means of achieving their goals.
      þ Promoting Reconciliation. Fostering improved communication and
        cooperation across Iraqi society to facilitate dialogue and the
        equitable use of Iraqi resources for the benefit of all the Iraqi
        people.
      þ Fostering Economic Development. Targeting assistance, such as
        micro-loans and grants to help create small businesses and jobs,
        provide services to meet community needs, and develop capacity for
        effective and sustainable governance.
      þ Building Provincial Capacity. Assisting local and municipal
        officials, helping them more effectively interact with the central
        government and local citizenry, unlocking Iraqi funds to support
        the delivery of critical essential services to the Iraqi people,
        and promote increasing self-reliance.
  þ By Helping Build Provincial Governments' Abilities To Deliver Essential
    Services To Iraqi Citizens, PRTs Help Extend The Reach Of The Iraqi
    Government In Key Provinces And Help Build The Stability Necessary To
    Complete The Transition To Full Iraqi Control.

Accomplishments Of PRTs

The PRTs Are Implementing Programs Aimed At Improving Local Governance,
Restoring Essential Services, Promoting Small Business, And Building
Confidence And Reconciliation Among Their Iraqi Counterparts. A variety of
activities are underway, and a number of accomplishments are evident in
just the first two months after their stand-up:
  þ In partnership with the district council, an embedded PRT has aided the
    development of an Economic Growth Strategy, including a new Business
    Information Center to promote private sector economic growth.
  þ Another embedded PRT has assisted in the formation of a project
    management office that coordinates more than 168 projects, with a value
    of $400 million, in its battle space.
  þ An embedded PRT has promoted the renovation and reopening of the Doura
    Market Complex which has increased the number of shops open from only 2
    in December to over 235 today.
  þ An embedded PRT has identified eight "model communities," through which
    the PRT will encourage local participation in government and increased
    security by establishing training and assistance programs.
  þ An embedded PRT has assisted the establishment of an Economic
    Development Office which is expanding business leadership by creating a
    jobs center, helping open up State-Owned-Enterprises, and promoting
    micro-businesses.

The Original Program Includes U.S.-Led PRTs In Baghdad, Anbar, Ninewa,
Kirkuk, Salah Ad Din, Diyala, And Babil, And U.S. Participation In
Coalition-Led PRTs In Basrah (UK), Dhi Qar (Italy), And Erbil (Korea).

PRTs Help Provincial Leaders Secure Funds From The Central Government By
Helping Forge Better Working Relationships Between Provincial Leaders And
Their Counterparts In The Central Government. Through these new
relationships, provincial leaders are able to voice their concerns and
obtain approvals for critical essential services projects. This process
helps them develop greater self-reliance and increases their capacity to
govern.
  þ Ninewa: The Ninewa PRT helped establish the Mosul branch of the Central
    Criminal Court of Iraq to adjudicate terrorism cases. Since the Court
    opened in December, 173 cases have been tried, resulting in 96
    convictions and 77 acquittals.
  þ Baghdad: The Baghdad PRT has helped build the capacity of the
    Provincial Reconstruction Development Committee (PRDC) by strengthening
    the linkages between Baghdad's nine Districts and six Qada councils and
    the Provincial Council. With the assistance of PRT the PRDC has
    approved a total of 68 PRDC projects worth $110 million in Economic
    Support Funds (ESF). At this time, 42 projects valued at $81 million
    dollars have been awarded for construction.
  þ Anbar: The Anbar PRT has played an active, and often central, role to
    help re-connect broken lines of communication between the central GOI
    in Baghdad and Anbar provincial government. The Governor is now able to
    directly advocate for the needs of his province with the Prime
    Minister, Cabinet Ministers and other Executive branch leaders in the
    central Iraqi government.
  þ Diyala: The Diyala PRT has partnered with Iraqis on the Baqubah General
    Hospital Renovation _ a major addition to the existing basic structure
    will enable more specialized infant and child care as well as the
    detection and treatment of infectious diseases that impact a large
    portion of the local population.

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