CPA Infrastructure Reconstruction doc 58

RECONSTRUCTION- TIMELINE Question: Now that we have had some time in the country, do we have a better esti~te on the time it will take to complete the reconstruction? Answer: • We will be there as long as we need to accomplish the mission. As Secretary Rumsfeld has said, it depends on how rapidly the interim authority evolves. It depends on external forces. We have no desire to stay any longer than we have to. Question: Why did the President select DOD to oversee Iraqi reconstruction instead o the State Department? Answer: • A unified chain of command within a single department would be most effective. • The military would be in control of the ground for a while, and the first task would be to maintain sufficient security and stability so that aid could be delivered and reconstruction could begin. • To ensure effective liaison and communication between the military and those in charge of the relief and reconstruction activities, it was determined that both shoul report to the Secretary of Defense.