Iraq - Like the 6 Million Dollar Man - We can rebuild it - we can make it better than - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Liquor Dealer · 05-06-2003, 12:17 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science...eut/index.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The United States is studying ways to restore perhaps a quarter of the marshes of southern Iraq, drained by Saddam Hussein to crush the local Shi'ite population, according to a senior official.

Andrew Natsios, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, told Reuters that research showed "we could probably restore maybe 25 percent of the marshlands with the existing water flows."

"...We are looking at what is hydrologically feasible given the current technology and water flows," Natsios said.

The Iraqi marshes between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were home to a unique culture and complex ecosystem that lasted thousands of years. The wetlands were largely drained by Saddam to punish the population for supporting a Shi'ite uprising against his rule that erupted after the 1991 Gulf War.

Nearly 300,000 Marsh Arabs, also known as Ma'adan, were bombed, rounded up by troops, killed or forced to march out of the wetlands. Many others disappeared while the marshes that sustained them turned into a salt-encrusted wasteland. Now, fewer than 20,000 remain.

Human rights groups have called the assault on the marshes and its people genocide, and said it could be among the charges if Saddam is ever prosecuted for war crimes.

Check source for the rest:

It would be great if there was a way to undo some of what Saddam did inareas like this - For those of you who mix religion with geography this is believed to be the original Garden of Eden.

John Henry · 05-06-2003, 01:00 PM

Looks like they've landed themselves a nice little contract there.

frenik · 05-06-2003, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by John Henry
Looks like they've landed themselves a nice little contract there.

Yes, I bet the U.S. Agency for International Development expects to reap fat profits from restoring marshlands.

Save that argument for oil fields, at least it makes a tiny bit of sense there.

smooth · 05-06-2003, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by frenik
Yes, I bet the U.S. Agency for International Development expects to reap fat profits from restoring marshlands. Save that argument for oil fields, at least it makes a tiny bit of sense there.

Maybe you just aren't familiar with the acronyms--in this case, we're talking about USAID. Heard of that organization? In case you haven't, here's a google search for you usaid contract. Now you can look up all the contracts USAID is involved with and keep your sarcasm where it belongs.

smooth · 05-06-2003, 10:30 PM

Just a follow up to the above point:

Quote:

1. What is the source of funding for the contracts and grants that USAID is awarding?

Funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress - ultimately the U.S. taxpayer. Revenues from the Oil for Food program, or other Iraqi or international sources, will not fund these contracts.

2. What will the initial contracts cover?

Between January 31st and March 4th, USAID issued eight Requests for Proposals or RFPs for work in Iraq. These are for capital construction including bridge, road and port rehabilitation and repair; seaport administration; airport administration; public health; primary and secondary education; local governance; theater logistical support and personnel support.

3. What is the total amount for reconstruction?

The President's budget request contained $1.7 billion for reconstruction and $543 million for humanitarian relief efforts. However, Congress will make the final determination about the funds that can be spent.

4. Who will the contracts go to? Which contracts have been signed?

The prime contracts will be awarded to U.S. firms through the competitive procurement process. Existing U.S. foreign assistance law establishes a preference for U.S. firms. There have been three contracts signed to date directly with USAID and a fourth contract was done as an inter-agency agreement with the Air Force for logistical support. This is being implemented through the Air Force Contract Augmentation Program's (AFCAP) Readiness Management Support (RMS) unit. <snip>

Fact Sheet: Contracting by USAID_ For Reconstruction of Iraq_

05-06-2003, 12:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Liquor Dealer Super Agitator Location: Just SW of Nowhere!!! In the good old US of A	Iraq - Like the 6 Million Dollar Man - We can rebuild it - we can make it better than http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science...eut/index.html WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The United States is studying ways to restore perhaps a quarter of the marshes of southern Iraq, drained by Saddam Hussein to crush the local Shi'ite population, according to a senior official. Andrew Natsios, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, told Reuters that research showed "we could probably restore maybe 25 percent of the marshlands with the existing water flows." "...We are looking at what is hydrologically feasible given the current technology and water flows," Natsios said. The Iraqi marshes between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were home to a unique culture and complex ecosystem that lasted thousands of years. The wetlands were largely drained by Saddam to punish the population for supporting a Shi'ite uprising against his rule that erupted after the 1991 Gulf War. Nearly 300,000 Marsh Arabs, also known as Ma'adan, were bombed, rounded up by troops, killed or forced to march out of the wetlands. Many others disappeared while the marshes that sustained them turned into a salt-encrusted wasteland. Now, fewer than 20,000 remain. Human rights groups have called the assault on the marshes and its people genocide, and said it could be among the charges if Saddam is ever prosecuted for war crimes. Check source for the rest: It would be great if there was a way to undo some of what Saddam did inareas like this - For those of you who mix religion with geography this is believed to be the original Garden of Eden. __________________ Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it's more like a jar of Jalapenos --- what you say or do today might burn your ass tomorrow!!! Last edited by Liquor Dealer; 05-06-2003 at 12:20 PM..

05-06-2003, 01:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
John Henry Addict Location: Grey Britain	Looks like they've landed themselves a nice little contract there. __________________ "No one was behaving from very Buddhist motives. Then, thought Pigsy, he was hardly a Buddha, nor was he a monkey. Presently, he was a pig spirit changed into a little girl pretending to be a little boy to be offered to a water monster. It was all very simple to a pig spirit."