Bush puts Rice in charge of post-conflict strategy

Bush puts Rice in charge of post-conflict strategy

WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The White House said on Wednesday it had put the State Department in charge of U.S. efforts to stabilize and rebuild nations roiled by war or civil upheaval, a move seen aimed at avoiding the inter-agency bickering that plagued the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq.

U.S. President George W. Bush signed the directive last week giving Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice the lead in stabilization and reconstruction missions, a White House statement said.

"(This will) empower the Secretary of State to improve coordination, planning and implementation for reconstruction and stabilization assistance for foreign states at risk of, in, or in transition from conflict or civil strife," it said.

The decision follows criticism of the Bush administration for poor planning after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Disagreement between the Pentagon and State Department over reconstruction and stabilization efforts was rife in the early months after the invasion.

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