How should rebuilding Iraq be handled?

Iraqi delegates at a major conference have urged international donors to fulfil their promises to fund reconstruction.

The event in Tokyo is a follow-up to last year's Madrid conference at which nearly $14bn were promised for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Very little of these funds have so far been released because of fears over security.

Experts say that full scale reconstruction cannot begin until the United Nations and other development organisations feel it is safe enough to deploy their staff in Iraq again.

How should reconstruction be handled? Can the Iraqi government get development organisations to return? What is the impact of the speed of reconstruction Iraq? Send us your views using the form.

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

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Your comments:

Give us the chance to rebuild our country as we see fit Marwan, London, UK (originally Baghdad)

Give us the chance to rebuild our country as we see fit. We did it in 1991 after a devastating attack left the country crippled, and I'm sure we are capable of doing it again. Iraqis should have the opportunity to decide their own budget, and have full control of their resources. We will never reach targets we have set for ourselves if the oil revenues are being controlled by the US
Marwan, London, UK (originally Baghdad)

Compare the infrastructure situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now compare the amount of money going to Iraq and Afghanistan. Any doubts left about the importance of oil? Ever wonder why the only thing that never stopped working in Iraq during and after the war are the oil fields? As long as lobbies that have influence in power perceive war an opportunity for profit we will continue wars and reconstruction efforts that focus on profit and not people.
Kostas H, Athens Greece

How can you reconstruct while at the same time destroying? The first thing to be done is to end the war. I believe this cannot happen with Bush as president. Please Americans elect a good listening president who can end this war.
Katto Ssemanda, Kampala Uganda

The first thing to do is forgive all of Iraq's foreign debt, and the second thing to do is to is stop meddling with their nation's treasury. No profit from this war.
Eugen, Hgt'n, USA

Foreign contractors should be sent packing KC, USA

As an American, I am overwhelmed with this problem. I was against the invasion in the first place, and now as an American I feel we are responsible for solving the problem our leader created without our vote. Get the US out of Iraq and give the contracts to Iraqis, and we should pay for the rebuilding. The US and the UK should bear the cost, along with Bush and Blair's "coalition" allies. Foreign contractors, who were given the contracts as "spoils of war" for their nation's contributing to the destruction of Iraq should be sent packing.
KC, USA

Legal responsibility of reconstruction of Iraq is saddled with US, UK, AU and few others that started an illegal, fraud war with false and fabricated evidence. What is needed that that the Iraqis should rebuild their own infrastructure with the help of their own selection and have US, UK, AU and others legally pay for all the cost, expenses. Let the world see if the likes of Bush/Blair and Howard pay for their mistakes.
Mohinder L. Jerath, Atlanta USA

The Iraqis are desperate for jobs - so why are we sending foreign workers? Iraqis would do the reconstruction work for less money, with more security, and no doubt with a greater sense of pride and purpose.
Matt, San Francisco, USA

Compassion should compel us to set aside our differences and come to the aid of Iraq Rob M, Calgary, Canada

Whether we agreed with the reasons for going to war or not, every civilized person must agree that the Iraqi people have suffered long enough. War, sanctions, oppression, the Iraqi people have endured it all. Compassion should compel us to set aside our differences and come to the aid of Iraq.
Rob M, Calgary, Canada

A little more European support would be helpful; the existing plan is fine if worked to completion. Too many opportunistic politicians are trying to undercut the effort.
Harry Keller, Alexandria VA, USA

I think that the money should be tied to the effort to stabilize the country. No money for areas where U.S. soldiers are continuing to be killed and even more money for areas that are peaceful.
Tom Moore, Dayton , Ohio, USA

Iraq should be rebuilt by the Iraqis Paul Marx, NY, USA

Iraq should be rebuilt by the Iraqis with assistance by those countries who really care. I am sure by now that the majority of Iraqis know that the Russian, French, German and Chinese only care about their oil.
Paul Marx, NY, USA

Lets get this straight - there are NO 'neutral' countries - all those in a position to help have something to gain, be it the US, GB, France, Iran etc, for Money, Influence or Power. The UN is all the bad bits put together, not the best. So get the best foreign companies to plan the work and pay the Iraqis to do it. If they're unskilled then teach them on the job - they'll love you, not hate you.
Al, London, UK

I have worked with Iraqis and culturally they have a very strong work ethic. They are quite capable of building their own cities and would much prefer that to paying the wages of citizens from countries that have so destroyed their homes.
Evan, Edinburgh

Employ Iraqis, apply transparency and act positive!
Suhaib Ahmed, Karkuk-Iraq

This war was devoid of any morality whatsoever, and America cannot be trusted to rebuild the country with good intent towards the people of Iraq. The UN must make a stand and request the removal of American forces from Iraq, so that they can rebuild Iraq for the people, and perhaps something good may come from this atrocity.
Calum, Glasgow Scotland

It's very important that the Iraqis themselves have a major role in rebuilding the country not just the foreign companies. From my point of view the terrorists are also the major obstruction as they may cause a great damage to the rebuilding and threatening people who want to rebuild the country.
Saman Ahmed, Manchester/UK

Iraqi people need the jobs and money Ahmad Hmoud, Jordan.Amman

Iraq is being used as a good source of income to Western contractors. Iraqi people need the jobs and money and they should have the say on how Iraq is rebuilt
Ahmad Hmoud, Jordan.Amman

Providing security equal to that surrounding the oil installations would not only be a good incentive for development organisations to return, it would give the coalition a better name, thus reducing the risk of terrorist attacks, and that, as we may recall, was the main objective of this insane undertaking in the first place.
David, Montreal, Canada

It's our mess (USA &UK) and it should be on us to handle. We should all adopt a child as we killed a lot of their parents for life and pay for the reconstruction with oil money which we occupy and the main reason to invade Iraq
Aamir Khan, Fort Lauderdale, Fl, USA

As they say "You broke it, you pay for it". The US and the UK are the invaders and occupiers, and the drivers of 12 years of sanctions and bombings. They pay. No begging bowls round the plant.
David Burton, UK/US

First, drop the idea that the UN is worth anything. It plainly isn't. Then forgive all foreign debt. Than bring in another 100000 troops to actually provide security in this country, allow the elections to take place in January, and than slowly allow Iraqi forces to take control.
Nick Poliskey, Washington, DC, USA

First, get the Americans out of there. Next, following the international standard used in South Africa after Apartheid, Iraqis, UN representatives and representatives from the Sunni and Shia populations of Iraq all need to be heard for a true democracy to begin. Women also need to be represented at this meeting.
Misty, London, Canada

The situation needs to be handled by members of the UN. The US and UK need to forget about pride and admit that we need help -- this will never happen with Bush in office. I suppose the first step then, is electing a better president.
Luke, Baltimore, USA

I take it that the Americans, British, Australians, Spain, and to a certain extent Japan and their allies should contribute a lion's share to the reconstruction of Iraq for obvious reasons; they contributed a lot to destruction of its infrastructure in search of Saddam and WOMD.
Emma, Botswana

Rebuilding Iraq can go nowhere without improving security situation H Ramanujam, Leicester, UK

Rebuilding Iraq can go nowhere without improving security situation.
H Ramanujam, Leicester, UK

I think the reconstruction efforts should be handled by someone who is outside the present political system in Iraq. Hans Blix, who was in Iraq for a long time and is respected by Iraqi's and International community, can spearhead the reconstruction efforts. He might usher in more international participation and start the real reconstruction of Iraq.
Bhanu Thapa, Pokhra,Nepal

Forgive Iraqi foreign debt, US Forces completely pull out, release portion of money tied directly to project milestones. If milestones are not met for any reason, cut off funds. US didn't create the Iraqi problem, Iraqis' must take responsibility for their own situation and extremists.
Kevin, Washington, D.C. USA

It should be paid by the UK and the US and who ever was involved and let the Iraqi people sort the contracts out
Mo, Manchester

The Americans destroyed Iraq ; why should other nations foot the bill?
O G Marke, Coventry , UK

Question: First of all, why Iraq needed reconstruction? Answer: Because America and its allies bombed her infrastructure and people. Question: Was there any reason for bombing? Answer: The reason was to find and eradicate all the weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Question: Did they manage to find any WMD? Answer: No, they finally admitted there were none. Question: So who should bear the cost of rebuilding Iraq? Answer: None other than America and its allies.
Jahangeer K A, Singapore

The first thing that should be done is to forgive all of Iraq's foreign debt Meghan Myres, Canada

The first thing that should be done is to forgive all of Iraq's foreign debt to the West. This is the only way this nation will have a fighting chance to rise out of the third world, and stop the United States from milking a war torn nation for interest.
Meghan Myres, Canada

First of all, the United States needs to get out of Iraq and to quit murdering innocent civilians there. Secondly, an international effort headed by Iraqis and the U.N. needs to be in charge of scheduling and carrying out elections. Candidates should be chosen by Iraqis, not their foreign occupiers.
Bruce Burleson, Boston, Massachusetts USA

Why does anyone think the UN would do a better job than the US? Look at Kosovo as proof the UN doesn't have all the answers.
Andy, London, UK

Those who destroyed the country in the first place, principally the USA and Britain, are responsible for re-building it. It is not the responsibility of countries that did not join the illegal invasion.
Richard Cotton, London, UK

Contractors/consultants from Muslim countries should only be allowed to work in Iraq and the US/UK should foot the bill for all reconstruction work following this illegal and immoral war. When will they learn?
Melvyn, UK

Quite simple: Leave Iraq. Let it export oil. Iraq will rebuild itself.
Roman, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

Where is all the reconstruction money going that we, the US Tax payers are giving in the name of Iraq reconstruction? How many projects have been completed? How many children saved? How many schools built? How many hospitals built?
John, NJ USA

What's the point in reconstructing a country when it's still at war? What should be done with parts of the money and under UN supervision is continuing the efforts to restore water and electricity in the whole of Iraq.
Frank, Belgium

Iraqis should be hired and actively involved in paying positions that involve them in the reconstruction. Steven , Brooklyn, NY

Iraqis should be hired and actively involved in paying positions that involve them in the reconstruction. Give them a pay check for helping to rebuild their country.
Steven , Brooklyn, NY

There was a report in the media a while back about an American company that won a closed tender to carry-out some rebuilding work for $15M. They deemed the situation too dangerous so the contract was given to an Iraqi company, who completed the work for $800k. Who should re-build Iraq? The Iraqis, it's their economy so let them make the profits from the rebuilding work not a select few `coalition of the willing!' companies.
Carlton, London, UK

Use the funds to repair and protect the oil-production infrastructure. A free and prosperous Iraq is now and has always been our fondest hope.
Steve Regn, Wall, NJ, USA

All American involvement should cease and the international community should take over the reconstruction. Only a neutral organisation can destroy the impression that America is setting up a puppet state in Iraq.
Trevor Batten, Amsterdam, NL

No rebuilding. We need to get out of that country and leave those people alone. It's their country, and we are invaders and occupiers. The country is worse off than it was before 2003. It's probably going to be a lot worse off in years to come.
Barbara BF, Hillcrest Hghts, MD, USA

There is only one effective way. Get all foreign companies out of Iraq. Let the Iraqis do the rebuilding. This will strengthen the Iraqi economy. This will put a lot of idle young men to work. This will provide incentive to Iraqis to oppose "terrorists" & "insurgents." This will improve security. This will reduce the need for "aid" to Iraqis. This will increase the flow of oil out of Iraq. Unfortunately, this will piss off contributors of foreign politicians... so it will never happen.
Ed Samson, MD USA

Iraqis should be allowed to determine the shape and nature of their own future. James, Washington DC, USA

The biggest problem is trying to build something they don't want - a democratic country shaped by our Western ideals. Iraqis should be allowed to determine the shape and nature of their own future. Turn over the check book to their government, along with their oil revenues, and allow each country to propose solutions to their individual needs.
James, Washington DC, USA

Iraq is endemically corrupt so the solution proposed by several - 'let the Iraqis do the rebuilding' will never work. Do we want to see another Nigeria? an oil-rich state whose citizens are poorer than India.
Anil, Olathe, USA

I fail to understand how the Halliburton contracts can be seen as legal when there has so clearly been some form of manipulation to secure them. Wouldn't it be simple enough for the Iraqi government to put in a quota system for building work - a bit like the French do for films - so that contracts had to be awarded to companies that were actually owned by Iraqis?
Jennifer Johnstone, London, UK

Really the work of rebuilding Iraq will start only once occupation force like America and Britain leave the country and UN will take the control of Iraq. Secondly neighbour countries should be given first priority to rebuild Iraq because it will strengthen the relation with neighbouring Iraq to bring peace in the country and the region and then others.
Munaf Pasha, Dubai-UAE

Well, for a start. Reconstruction projects should employ local Iraqi professionals and workers, instead of bringing in expensive foreign contractors from all over the world at extortionate rates. I believe that there is a lot of resentment in Iraq now as Iraqis are fed up with sitting jobless and without any income, while the foreign contractors are getting all the work and huge salaries. This is probably why many foreigners like Ken Bigley are being kidnapped for Ransom now.
Zaid Al-Hindawi, Iraqi in London, UK

It is obvious that the US is making a complete mess of Iraq. The obvious solution would be to replace them with the UN, but that won't work either. Like the US, they simply don't have the resources to do it. The government of Iraq has been an insoluble problem for decades; now the situation is considerably worse and even more intractable.
Geoff , London, England

Until the security situation improves, no money should go to Iraq. Claudia, Germany

Until the security situation improves, no money should go to Iraq. Another point is, that reconstruction at the moment does not make sense - next month whatever has been reconstructed might already be bombed to bits and peaces again by the "precision-guided" bombs. As long as the war is not over (and it is not, no matter what Bush says) reconstructing anything is useless.
Claudia, Germany

I know this has been said before ... but why not let the Iraqi people rebuild Iraq? They need the jobs and the money! I am positive that foreign workers are needed only for 1 or 2% of the technical issues. Unless of course its all just a scam giving money and work to western contractors?
Neil Mooney, Geneva , Switzerland

I feel that the guns for cash approach highlights how the American government handle things. I feel that it is giving the insurgents money to buy new weapons, how ironic!
Dave, Philadelphia USA

I believe the US should leave Iraq and have the UN take its supervisory place, if the Iraqi people accept that a foreign organization remains in their country. If they do not accept help, then they need to solve their own problems. Until there is a global government and no local power, one nation will continue to invade another for many reasons and motives, including imposing philosophy of government or religion on another, or depleting the invaded country's raw materials.
Thea Amr, Arlington, VA, USA

Well for a start they should use Iraqis to rebuild Marc, London, England

Well for a start they should use Iraqis to rebuild, not American companies profiting from the invasion. It's not like Iraq is short of skilled engineers etc, being one of the bigger oil producing countries.
Marc, London, England

The money has to be released as soon as possible; fears over security will only stall the reconstruction process forever because the two are connected. If Iraqis see that the new Iraq is improving their lives, support for groups that pose a threat to stability will decrease.
Abu Ilyas, Baghdad, Iraq