U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 22, 2004

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Iraq Reconstruction Core Group Meeting

On April 22, the State Department hosted senior officials from the United States, Japan, the European Union, United Arab Emirates, Spain, United Kingdom, Canada, Republic of Korea, United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Coalition Provisional Authority, and Iraq to advance effective coordination of international reconstruction assistance to Iraq. Iraqi Finance Minister Gailani participated, and Iraqi National Security Advisor al-Rubaie joined via telephone from Baghdad.

The "Core Group" of donors and institutions was launched at a United Nations meeting on Iraqi reconstruction in June 2003 and worked together to organize the October 2003 Madrid Donors' Conference, which raised pledges of over $32 billion for 2004-2007. It has since been helping to monitor and coordinate the implementation of that assistance.

At the April 22 meeting the Core Group discussed reconstruction issues related to the June 30, 2004 transition to a sovereign Iraqi government, the impact of the security situation, and agreed on the importance of effective aid coordination and the continuing role of the Core Group following that transition. Donors reported on progress in implementing their Madrid pledges.

They also discussed preparations being made by Japan as Chair of the Donors' Committee of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq for a late May 2004 meeting of the Donors' Committee to be hosted by Qatar. The International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq consists of trust funds administered by the United Nations and World Bank that offer donors the option of a multilateral channel for their assistance.

The Core Group reiterated its commitment to Iraq's reconstruction and to the successful transition to a sovereign government on June 30. The Group underscored the continuing and urgent need for the timely provision of assistance by the international community.

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