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Skriven 2007-03-22 23:31:32 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (070322) for Thu, 2007 Mar 22
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Fact Sheet: Expanding Provincial Reconstruction Teams to Achieve Iraqi Self
Reliance
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 22, 2007

Fact Sheet: Expanding Provincial Reconstruction Teams to Achieve Iraqi Self
Reliance

ÿÿWhite House News

ÿÿÿÿÿ President Bush Meets with Iraq Provincial Reconstruction Team Leaders
ÿÿÿÿÿ In Focus: Renewal in Iraq

"We will double the number of provincial reconstruction teams. These teams
bring together military and civilian experts to help local Iraqi
communities pursue reconciliation, strengthen the moderates, and speed the
transition to Iraqi self-reliance." _ President George W. Bush, 1/10/07

Under The President's New Way Forward For Iraq, The Number Of Provincial
Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) Will Increase. PRTs are joint civilian-military
units that support local leaders and empower provincial authorities by
working closely with the communities they serve. The expansion is a joint
Department of State-Department of Defense mission that will employ both
civilian and military resources toward a common strategic plan.
  þ The Number Of PRTs Will Increase To 20 And In Personnel From 290 To
    Over 600.
  þ The Ten New PRTs Will Be Embedded In U.S. Brigade Combat Teams In
    Baghdad, Anbar, And North Babil Provinces.

Strategic Purpose Of The Expanded PRT Mission
  þ The Expanded PRTs Will Serve As Powerful Tools In Achieving Our
    Counterinsurgency Strategy By:
      þ Bolstering Moderates. Using a decentralized approach to reach out
        beyond the central government to identify and empower those who
        reject violence as a means of achieving their goals.
      þ Promoting Reconciliation. Fostering improved communication and
        cooperation across Iraqi society to facilitate dialogue and the
        equitable use of Iraqi resources for the benefit of all the Iraqi
        people.
      þ Fostering Economic Development. Targeted assistance, such as
        microloans and grants to help create small businesses and jobs,
        provide services to meet community needs, and develop capacity for
        effective and sustainable governance.
      þ Building Provincial Capacity. Assist local and provincial
        officials, helping them more effectively interact with the central
        government and local citizenry, unlock Iraqi funds to support the
        delivery of critical essential services to the Iraqi people, and
        promote increasing self-reliance.
  þ By Helping Build Provincial Governments' Abilities To Deliver Essential
    Services To Iraqi Citizens, PRTs Help Extend The Reach Of The Iraqi
    Government In Key Provinces And Help Build The Stability Necessary To
    Complete The Transition To Full Iraqi Control. PRTs will use both
    civilian and military resources toward a common strategic plan crafted
    by the Team Leader and the Brigade Commander.

The Existing Program Includes U.S.-Led PRTs In Baghdad, Anbar, Ninewa,
Kirkuk, Salah Ad Din, Diyala, And Babil, And U.S. Participation In
Coalition-Led PRTs In Basrah (UK), Dhi Qar (Italy), And Arbil (Korea).
  þ The Expansion Will Add Six New PRTs In Baghdad, Three In Anbar, And One
    In North Babil. Additional personnel will also be deployed to existing
    PRTs. The teams will include American diplomats, military officers,
    development experts, and other specialists in fields such as law,
    engineering, and agribusiness.

Accomplishments Of Existing PRTs

PRTs Help Provincial Leaders Secure Funds From The Central Government By
Helping Forge Better Working Relationships Between Provincial Leaders And
Their Counterparts In The Central Government. Through these new
relationships, provincial leaders are able to voice their concerns and
obtain approvals for critical essential services projects. This process
helps them develop greater self-reliance and increases their capacity to
govern.
  þ Kirkuk: Through PRT assistance, Kirkuk's provincial government
    nominated and approved 575 projects funded by Iraqi Rapid
    Reconstruction and Economic Development Funds. This is a major step
    forward in managing their own projects and finances.
  þ Ninewa: The Ninewa PRT helped establish the Mosul branch of the Central
    Criminal Court of Iraq to adjudicate terrorism cases. Since the Court
    opened in December, 40 cases and 56 defendants have been tried
    resulting in 32 convictions and 24 acquittals.
  þ Baghdad: With Baghdad PRT assistance, the Baghdad Provincial Council
    established a local newspaper, the "Baghdaduna." This weekly newspaper
    increases government transparency and accountability by publicizing
    Provincial Council decisions and reporting news about Baghdad Province.
  þ Anbar: The Anbar PRT fostered intra-Anbar dialogue between the
    Provincial Council and anti-insurgent tribal leaders, resulting in
    increased engagement with all parties to encourage a power-sharing
    agreement.
  þ Diyala: The Diyala PRT partnered with Iraqis to create an agricultural
    soil testing laboratory used by all sectors of the agricultural
    complex, resulting in improved soil fertility and nutrition in the
    area.
  þ Babil: The Babil PRT helped enhance fiscal and project management as
    well as improve infrastructure by assisting the Babil provincial
    government in organizing a Project Management Unit in order to
    responsibly commit $115 million from the 2006 capital investment
    budget.

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