Republic of Iraq

 

Welcome to the Impacts of National Information Technology Environments on Business (INITEB) Republic of Iraq webpage. The purpose of this country report is academic in nature with a required methodological template to provide an in-depth analysis of all information technology (IT)-related issues in a country of the student’s choice.

 

Iraq is in the midst of a changing and evolving period of its history. Every effort has been made to acquire and provide up-to-date information related to the information and communication technology (ICT)  of Iraq. The nature of fast-moving events in Iraq today guarantees that some information provided is outdated.

 

A Brief History of Current Events

 

During March and April of 2003, a U.S.-led coalition removed the Ba’ath regime. After the end of twelve years of defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, the coalition, international agencies, and nongovernmental organizations established aid systems in the hope of preventing a general humanitarian crisis. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) was established by the coalition to provide for the effective administration of Iraq during the period of transitional administration, to restore and address security and stability in the country, and to create conditions to facilitate a democratic environment where the Iraqi people could determine their own political future.

 

The following is the seven-step process set out for reaching a fully democratic self-government in Iraq described by Presidential envoy Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, who is administrator of CPA and oversees and coordinates al executive, legislative and judicial function necessary for temporary governance of Iraq:

  1. Creation of a Governing Council as the principal body of the Iraq Interim Administration
  2. Creation of a Constitutional Preparatory Committee
  3. Initiation of Iraqi governing activities through the Interim Ministers
  4. The drafting of a new constitution
  5. Iraqi ratification of the constitution
  6. Election by Iraqis of a government based on the constitution
  7. The handing over of authority by the CPA to the elected government.

 

Reconstruction in Iraq

 

President Bush has given the U.S. Department of Defense responsibility for reconstruction. Thus, the United Nations is not in the role of leading reconstruction efforts or the development of a new government in Iraq.  UN Security Council Resolution of Iraq, Resolution 1483, 22 May 2003 – authorizes a range of reconstruction activities in Iraq.  In addition to the U.S Department of Defense and the UN, on October 23-24, 2003, a donors’ conference of 73 countries and 20 international organizations discussed future commitments to the reconstruction of Iraq. In addition to the $18.6 billion in U.S. committed funding, $13 billion was pledged at the conference. Japan pledged $5 billion, $3 - $5 billion in loans from the World Bank, and $2.5 - $4.25 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund.

 

CPA Strategy and USAID Program Objectives

CPA Strategy: Essential Services – restoring basic services to an acceptable standard

USAID Objective 1: Rebuild priority infrastructure, public facilities and services in post-war Iraq.

USAID Objective 2: Provide institutional capacity building to better operate and maintain infrastructure and public services.

Implementation Plan

CPA Priorities

Criteria for Projects