*EPF507 12/03/2004
Text: Milestone For Iraqi Reconstruction Projects Achieved, Despite Insurgency
(Range of projects will have far-reaching impact) (500)

U.S. Army officials say the Iraqi people are seeing signs of progress, with more than 1,000 reconstruction projects under way throughout Iraq.

Brigadier General Thomas Bostick says the number of projects -- now totaling more than 1,000 -- is not as important as "the impact of those projects" that range from breaking ground on hospitals and health clinics to water and sewer improvements to public works for rails and roads. Bostick's comments came as the Army Corps of Engineers' Iraq Project and Contracting Office (PCO) announced December 3 that it had surpassed its construction goal ahead of schedule.

PCO Director Charles Hess said in a Pentagon press release that his colleagues are thrilled to have achieved their goal in spite of ongoing activity by Iraqi insurgents. He also said he anticipates the total number of projects to top 1,200 by the end of 2004.

Following is the text of Defense Department release:

(begin text)

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 1246-04 IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec 03, 2004 Media Contact: (703)697-5131 Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711

Iraq Reconstruction Passes 1,000 Project Milestone

The Iraq Project and Contracting Office (PCO) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that the U.S. government has surpassed the 1,000 construction start mark one month ahead of their year-end goal. The reconstruction team has delivered 1,051 construction starts to-date.

"We're thrilled to have achieved this goal in spite of insurgent activity," stated PCO Director Charles Hess. "At the same time, while it is an important mark, it's just a mark on the wall. There are going to be many more. As of today, we have 1,051 projects that have actually started construction, or "turned dirt." Our new goal is 1,200 by the end of the year."

The 1,051 projects include the renovation and new construction of schools, primary health care facilities, hospitals, water treatment projects, and police and fire stations in every province.

Reconstruction Projects Underway as of Dec. 2, 2004

Schools: 363

Public health clinics: 41

Hospitals: 14

Railroad stations: 58

Border posts: 88

Ports of entry: 6

Fire stations: 20

Police stations: 17

Military bases: 16

Water: 67

Electricity: 58

Oil: 19

Sewer: 24

Roads: 66

Other [unidentified]: 194

Total: 1,051

"While the number is important, it is the impact of those projects that is most important" said Brig. Gen. Thomas Bostick, commander of the Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "The Iraqi people are seeing progress."

Both Hess and Bostick expect the pace of construction starts to continue to accelerate as more work gets underway. The level of disbursement has doubled since August, now standing at nearly $2 billion. Iraqi employment numbers have climbed to nearly 90,000.

Further information can be found on the PCO Web site at: http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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