Bremer comments on cash for rebuilding Iraq and attacks
8 Sep 2003
SHOTLIST
1. US Iraq Administrator Paul Bremer and Nesreen Berwari, Iraqi Public Works Minister
2. Cutaway cameraman
3. SOUNDBITE (English) – Paul Bremer, US Civilian Administrator:
“The President of the United States last night announced a major initiative, a request to the American people and Congress of more than twenty (b) billion dollars for the reconstruction of Iraq. This is one of the largest non-military budget requests in American history. It amounts to more than ten times more than the United States has ever spent in a year in any country and it is a clear, dramatic illustration of the fact that the American people are going to finish the job we started when we liberated Iraq here some four months ago; and it is a clear step, another step along the path to Iraqi sovereignty.”
4. Media looking on
5. SOUNDBITE (English) – Nesreen Berwari, Public Works Minister:
“It’s a historic moment because as an Iraqi taking charge of my Iraqi citizens’ affairs day to day services. It’s historic because we have been always dreaming for this day, the vision that we want to apply in our ministry in day to day activity is to reach as much as possible to the population and serve them, improve water, improve sanitation, create jobs through the implementation of projects and we will be doing this in close co-operation with the municipal councils being created across the region and also the involvement of the communities. We want to involve the people of Iraq in planning their needs in implementing their projects and in managing their own affairs.”
6. Security guards looking on
7. SOUNDBITE (English) – Paul Bremer, US Civilian Administrator:
“And the final step on the path to sovereignty will be when the Coalition Authority as is foreseen in both international law and the relevant UN resolutions, will hand full sovereignty back to that Iraqi government. There is a clear path ahead Madam minister, as we discussed, to the return of full sovereignty to you and to the Iraqi people and we look forward to working with you and your colleagues in the cabinet as we proceed down that path. Thank you.”
8. Bremer and Berwari leave
STORYLINE
The U.S. administrator for Iraq told officials Monday that the United States had committed an unprecedented sum for rebuilding the country.
After a meeting with Iraq’s new Public Works Minister Nesreen Berwari, a Kurdish woman, L. Paul Bremer promised the United States would not leave Iraq before its mission was complete.
Bremer’s remarks amplified on those of U.S. President George W. Bush, who told the American people on Sunday night he would ask Congress for $87 billion US dollars for the next fiscal year for the military occupation and reconstruction of Iraq.
Of the total request, $21 billion US dollars would go for rebuilding.
