U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today that he is sending a team of experts to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq’s transportation system.

Mineta made the announcement in a March 17 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.

The team initially consists of Federal Aviation Administration officials and will be followed by experts on surface and maritime systems. The team is a precursor to a permanent DOT mission that will be stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad when it opens in July.

Mineta indicated that port improvements at Umm Qasr would be a major transportation priority.

“The Middle East is a critically important region, and one in which we must continue to build strong relationships,” he said. “This team will provide the expertise necessary to rebuild a transportation system for Iraq that can support its economic development.”

The secretary also noted that the department would look for ways to increase transportation assistance to Afghanistan and would seek to further strengthen U.S. transportation ties with Jordan and Kuwait.