Head of Iraq Reconstruction Says Unexpected Security Costs Eating Into Budget

Head of Iraq Reconstruction Says Unexpected Security Costs Eating Into Budget: "The head of the U.S. reconstruction effort in Iraq said Saturday that as much as 16 percent of the $21 billion reconstruction budget would be spent on providing security for its projects and workers -- roughly double the original estimate.
William Taylor, director of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, told reporters that insurgent attacks had caused substantial delays and required contractors to hire more guards.
His office also disclosed that 295 civilian contractors had been killed in Iraq as of April 30, according to data provided by the Labor Department based on requests for death benefits."