Straw hails progress on Iraq reconstruction

The refurbishment of 2,000 Iraqi schools is an example of the work being done to reconstruct the country after the fall of the previous regime, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said.

Mr Straw said that, since Saddam Hussein's regime fell, infrastructure improvements included: 17,000 reconstruction projects launched; 2,000 schools refurbished; and 30 million doses of vaccines supplied.

In a speech to the Davos World Economic Forum, Mr Straw said: "2003 was momentous for Iraq, bringing the end of a regime which had for more than a generation brought the people of Iraq only violence, impoverishment and isolation."

The Foreign Secretary said there was a long way to go, particularly in improving the security situation, but he said "serious steps" were being taken to improve the situation.

Targets include transferring full authority to the Iraqi people by 1 July, involving the G7 and the UN in the political and economic reconstruction process and, paving the way for democratic elections.

"Our commitment to reconstructing Iraq is firm," he said.

"We will continue to help the new Iraqi public administration to run effectively, providing advice and guidance when that is what the Iraqis request."

He added that assistance would be targeted on rebuilding "essential public services", especially in the poorest parts of Iraq.

"We are committed to helping them achieve their goal of building the free, secure and prosperous country they deserve," Mr Straw concluded.

(gmcg)