America has claimed victor over the war in Iraq but the most crucial phase of the intervention in Iraq is only beginning. The justness and competency of the American and British military occupation will determine the health and safety of Iraqi civilians. Disease, looting, and starvation could take as many lives as the bombings and worsen the misery caused by 13 years of United Nation economic sanctions.
The conflict in Iraq has created an urgent need to rebuild the infrastructure and restore essential services within that country. The estimate cost of reconstruction could reach $100 Billion. I believe that the $ 87 billion that the Bush Administration is asking for will cause an economic down for the American tax payers. This money should be a loan to the country and not a grant as the Bush Administration is requesting. Winer, Noah, "The Reconstruction of Iraq" Wall Street Journal 24 May 2003: 4 .
The Bush Administration, after requesting $87 billion for the reconstruction of Iraq stated that he wants total control of Iraq's political affairs and the authorization of a multinational peace keeping force under American command. Countries such as China and Russia are willing to be a part of the rebuilding efforts of Iraq. However, the world's major military powers are still holding back because they want they want the Iraq's to exercise more control. "The U.N. Vote on Iraq" Editorial. New York Times 17 October 2003: A12. The grant Bush Administration is asking for would leave the American to pay a much larger debt of a reconstruction project. .
The issue on the spending bill is seen differently around the world. According to many Americans this grant would be ok if it was not coming from the taxpayers. According to Lynette Clementson from the New York Times, Taxpayers are Restless on Billions in Aid for Iraq "the future of our country is in jeopardy," Mr. Beaver Democrat at the Spokane meeting stated that "without a more detailed explanation; he cannot support this kind of spending the Administration is asking for.