$60b estimated for Iraq reconstruction ...

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Washington Pulse - Brief Article

The cost for the reconstruction of Iraq's basic infrastructure should top $60 billion, according to David Nash, former head of the U.S. office in charge of the rebuilding efforts. Out-of-control looting only has compounded the woes of the Iraqis, he said. A case in point was the widespread plundering of electricity plants last year. In fact, the price of copper dropped significantly in the Middle East, because looters were pulling down high-voltage wires, smelting...