Details

_Iraqi Minister Speaks at Globalization Series_

Minister for Municipalities and Public Works Nesreen M. Sideek Barwari of the Iraqi Governing Council invited the Philippine government and business community to continue investing and aiding in Iraq’s reconstruction efforts. The minister spoke at the 32nd Globalization Lecture Series hosted by the Asian Institute of Management and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation last May 3rd. She also reassured the forum participants regarding the security situation by describing them as isolated incidents that do not obscure the progress that the reconstruction efforts have been making to normalize life in Iraq. However, she also said that despite the progress that is seen at present, the international community must understand that the process will take time due to the state that former dictator Saddam Hussein left the country in. Even without the effects of the war that led to the strongman’s fall, Iraq was already in bad shape.

Despite all this however, the minister said that prospects for development are good due to the abundance of resources that the country has, especially with regard to oil. Daily, Iraq is trying to increase oil production or output levels comparable to those before the regime underwent sanctions. She stresses that the rebuilding of Iraq and its political stability is a vital regional and global concern that the international community must continue prioritizing. She regrets that international media obscures progress made by reconstruction efforts and highlights isolated security incidents.

The minister paid a visit to the Philippines to strengthen the two countries’ relationship. The Philippines, as a member of the coalition of the willing in the United States’ war on terror has sent a humanitarian contingent to assist in peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Also, there is a strong presence of Filipino nationals in the region as contractual workers for Middle Eastern companies. In the light of the first death of a Filipino national in Iraq since the toppling of Saddam Hussein, the minister reassured the Philippine government that other untoward incidents of this nature would be avoided.

Mr. Klaus Preschle, the Philippine Country Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation affirmed the commitment of the German government to continue providing Iraq assistance with their reconstruction efforts. He remarked that efforts in rebuilding Iraq can be likened to post-World War II Germany, where Germany’s rebuilding took time and extensive assistance provided by the United States provided through the Marshall Plan. The minister also expressed her gratitude to the European Union and Germany’s assistance in the rebuilding of Iraq. The German government had just completed a $3 M project that re-equipped the national water quality control laboratory and provided leak detection equipment.

For futher details, check out the following links:

Minister Nesreen Barwari’s Speech

http://www.kas.de/proj/home/pub/69/2/year-2004/dokument_id-4669/index.html

Mr. Klaus Preschle’s Speech

http://www.kas.de/proj/home/pub/69/2/year-2004/dokument_id-4658/index.html

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Comments on Safety of Filipinos in Iraq

http://www.op.gov.ph/pms/currentissues.asp?action=view&id=2290

Official Website of the Philippine Task Force for the Reconstruction of Iraq

http://www.engagephilippines.com/mission.cfm