New York: A contract worth up to $ 680 million has been awarded to US-based Bechtel
Group to facilitate reconstruction of war-ravaged Iraq even as the decision has
angered American allies in Europe who are of the view that the move cuts off the UN.
The initial award was worth $ 34.6 million, but it also provided for funding of up
to $ 680 million over 18 months, subject to Congressional approval, the US Agency
for International Development (USAID) said on April 17.
Bechtel, based in San Francisco, was given the job of emergency infrastructure
repair and rehabilitation.
"Restoration of the country's key infrastructure is a priority of the US
government's effort to strengthen Iraq's economy and ensure delivery of essential
public services to the Iraqi population," USAID said in a statement.
The contract called for the repair, rehabilitation or reconstruction of vital
elements of Iraq's infrastructure.
Media reports said that the United States plans to cut down role the world body is
playing in managing the 'oil for food' programme and making World bank as the
neutral accountant for oil revenues which might leave the world body dealing with
only humanitarian issues.
British companies are already upset at being cut out of the most lucrative deals to
build post-war Iraq, a report in the 'New York Times' said.
Also angry are several American companies with political connections who feel left
out but analysts say that the contracts granted to Bechtel are only fraction of what
would
cost to rebuild country's power, rail, road and water supply infrastructure also
airports.
PTI
