Iraq says corruption and violence undermining reconstruction effort News
Iraq says corruption and violence undermining reconstruction effort

[JURIST] Iraq detailed concerns about corruption and violence delaying reconstruction as it submitted a list of its most pressing rebuilding needs to international donors on Monday. Concerns about graft and insurgent violence have meant delays and have resulted in only a fraction of the funds committed to rebuilding being put to use. Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari [BBC profile] has previously called administrative corruption an important challenge for Iraq to overcome [JURIST report], and both the US government [JURIST report] and outside groups [JURIST report] have cautioned the new Iraqi government about the potential for official mismanagement. The UN has established the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) [official website] to ensure accountability and success in rebuilding the country. The chairman of the IRFFI said he was "pleased with the outcome" [PDF press release] of Monday's meeting. Reuters has more.