The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will send a team of experts to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq's transportation system. Initially, the team will consist of federal aviation officials and will be followed by maritime, rail and surface experts. The team is a precursor to a permanent DOT mission at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, when it opens in July. The reconstruction project was announced by Secretary Norman Y. Mineta Thursday in a speech in Amman, Jordan, at the conclusion of a five-day trip to the Middle East that included visits to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Jordan. Mineta also said that the department will look for ways to increase transportation assistance to Afghanistan, and will seek to further strengthen ties with Jordan and Kuwait. The trip was made to assess the current state of transportation needs in the region and to further the United States' broader international transportation agenda.
U.S. DOT to reconstruct Iraqi transportation system
The DOT will also look for ways to increase transportation assistance to Afghanistan, and will seek to further strengthen ties with Jordan and Kuwait.
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