	Background

In March 2003, the United States—along with the United Kingdom,  Australia, and other members of the coalition—began combat operations  in Iraq. The term “coalition of the willing” refers to those  countries that declared political support for the war effort; not all of these  countries contributed troops to multinational operations. These funds were  used to make initial equipment purchases for countries participating in  Polish and U.S.-led divisions in Iraq. Troop Contributions from Coalition Members Have Declined and Represent a Small Percentage of Total Forces

As of May 2007, 25 coalition nations were contributing about 12,600 troops  to multinational force operations in Iraq. This compares to the 145,000 U.S.  troops in Iraq, for the same time period. See figure 1 for a comparison of  U.S. and coalition troops from December 2003 through May 2007. Non-U.S. coalition troops represent about 8 percent of multinational  forces in Iraq as of May 2007. In addition, the number of coalition forces has declined by 47.5 percent— from 24,000 in December 2003 to 12,600 in May 2007, as shown in figure 2. Although the number of troops is declining, three countries—the United  Kingdom, Poland, and the Republic of Korea—have led operations in three  of seven security sectors in Iraq (see figure 3). Poland’s troops have conducted joint combat operations and performed  humanitarian, medical, advisory, and training missions, and have sustained  20 fatalities. The United States Has Provided about $1.5 Billion to Support Coalition Troops in Iraq

Some countries that have provided troops to the multinational force in  Iraq are not financially able to support those troops in the field for  extended periods of time or may need assistance in preparing their troops  for this type of operation. Since 2003, the United States has provided about  $1.5 billion to 20 countries. Jordan was the next largest  recipient of support, receiving reimbursement or services worth about  $300 million for border operations and other activities. In addition, since  2003, the United States has provided Jordan about $1.34 billion in security  assistance. International Donors Have Pledged Billions of Dollars for Reconstruction Efforts in Iraq

International donors have pledged about $14.9 billion in support of Iraq  reconstruction. In addition, some countries exceeded their pledges by  providing an additional $744 million for a total of $15.6 billion, according  to the State Department. As of April 2007, Iraq had accessed about $436  million in loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Most Pledges Were in the Form of Loans

About $11 billion, or 70 percent, of the $14.9 billion pledged in support of  Iraq reconstruction is in the form of loans. Most Grants Have Been Provided

As of April 2007, international donors for Iraq reconstruction had pledged  $3.9 billion in grants to be provided multilaterally and bilaterally.
Why GAO Did This Study

In March 2003, a U.S.-led multinational force began operations in Iraq. At that time, 48 nations, identified as a "coalition of the willing," offered political, military, and financial support for U.S. efforts in Iraq, with 38 nations other than the United States providing troops. In addition, international donors met in Madrid in October 2003 to pledge funding for the reconstruction of Iraq's infrastructure, which had deteriorated after multiple wars and decades of neglect under the previous regime. This testimony discusses (1) the troop commitments other countries have made to operations in Iraq, (2) the funding the United States has provided to support other countries' participation in the multinational force, and (3) the financial support international donors have provided to Iraq reconstruction efforts. This testimony is based on GAO's prior work and data collected for this hearing. Although we reviewed both classified and unclassified documents, the information in this statement is based only on unclassified documents. We completed this work in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.

What GAO Found

As of May 2007, 25 countries were contributing 12,600 troops to multinational forces in Iraq. Compared with 145,000 U.S. troops, coalition countries represent about 8 percent of multinational forces in Iraq. From December 2003 through May 2007, the number of coalition troops decreased from 24,000 to 12,600; the number of coalition nations contributing troops decreased from 33 to 25. The United Kingdom, Poland, and Republic of Korea are responsible for leading operations in three of seven security sectors in Iraq. In addition, coalition troops have performed humanitarian, medical, and reconstruction missions. Some have provided combat capabilities, such as infantry and explosive ordinance capabilities. The United States has spent about $1.5 billion to transport, sustain, and provide other services for military troops from 20 countries other than the United States and Iraq. The United States used about $1 billion of the $1.5 billion to feed, house, and equip these countries. In terms of allocation by country, about $988 million, or 66 percent, was used to support Poland and the countries under its command, and $300 million, or 20 percent, supported Jordan for border operations and other activities. In addition to support for operations in Iraq, the United States, through the State Department, has provided about $1.9 billion in security assistance for military training and equipment to 10 coalition members and Jordan since 2003. As of April 2007, international donors had pledged about $14.9 billion for reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Some countries exceeded their pledges by an additional $744 million for a total of $15.6 billion. About $11 billion, or 70 percent, of these pledges are loans, with the remaining $4.6 billion in the form of grants. As of April 2007, Iraq had accessed about $436 million in loans and $3 billion in grants.