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We had good reason to suplly electricity in Iraq -- for a while.

Reader comment on item: Must U.S. Taxpayers Pay for Iraqi Electricity?

Submitted by William A. Wheatley (United States), Mar 17, 2008 at 00:14

We assumed responsibility for electricity in Iraq because so much of the electrical infrastructure -- including power plants -- was destroyed in the war. Some of it, the part that served Iraqi military installations, was destroyed by US bombs and missiles. A large part of it, however, was destroyed on orders of Saddam Hussein in an attempt to make trouble for the advancing US forces. A large part was then destroyed by the Al-Qaeda led insurgency that developed after the war. I do not disagree with our taking responsibility immediately after the war. Providing electricity was seen as a way of returning the streets to normalcy, and that might have worked but for the insurgency, that kept blowing up what we rebuilt, so we would have to rebuild it again. Further, by providing the money and the project control, we created jobs for American contractors.

We had good reason to "supply electricity" to the Iraqis (rebuild infrastructure destroyed in the war) -- for a while. It is now past time for us to turn that job over to the Iraqis. They will use Iraqi contractors, as they should, thereby rebuilding their economy faster than if we were to continue paying for it using American contractors.

--Bill Wheatley

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Reader comments (8) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
U.S. Assumes Iraqi Govt. Responsibility [102 words]Richard H. ShulmanMar 29, 2008 17:04124049
We had good reason to suplly electricity in Iraq -- for a while. [207 words]William A. WheatleyMar 17, 2008 00:14122835
You broke it, you own it. [145 words]Ghulam Muhammed, MumbaiMar 16, 2008 03:20122782
How to close this can of worms? [159 words]jennifer solisMar 16, 2008 03:14122781
Must U.S. Taxpayers Pay for Iraqi Electricity? [24 words]Riva MorisMar 15, 2008 17:38122739
What in the World? [47 words]BlackspeareMar 15, 2008 16:25122729
AMERICA: SOON TO BE A THIRD WORLD NATION [1069 words]DANIEL REDMONDMar 14, 2008 22:47122681
No system stands without a physical foundation. [68 words]YnnatchkahMar 13, 2008 17:17122590

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