Government operations and workforce

Executive Order 13431: Establishment of Temporary Organization to Facilitate United States Government Assistance for Transition in Iraq

President: George W. Bush

Created a temporary State Department office to finish Iraq assistance projects and absorb IRMO functions.

Status: Superseded. Is Executive Order 13431 still in effect? No. Executive Order 13431 was superseded. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 13431 do?

The Iraq Transition Assistance Office within State was to coordinate remaining infrastructure and assistance, take over IRMO functions, personnel and records, and terminate within the statutory temporary-organization period unless ended sooner. A January 2008 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction audit was addressed to the ITAO Director and examined transition work, confirming the office was operating.

Administration position: The order established coordination machinery for remaining assistance, not a guarantee that reconstruction projects would finish.
SignedApril 18, 2007
Earlier frameworkThe Iraq Reconstruction Management Office coordinated reconstruction work and Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund spending.
Responsible bodyState Secretary and ITAO Director
Follow-up evidenceJanuary 25, 2008: A January 2008 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction audit was addressed to the ITAO Director and examined transition work, confirming the office was operating.

Before and after

Before the order

The Iraq Reconstruction Management Office coordinated reconstruction work and Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund spending.

After the order

The Iraq Transition Assistance Office within State was to coordinate remaining infrastructure and assistance, take over IRMO functions, personnel and records, and terminate within the statutory temporary-organization period unless ended sooner.

A January 2008 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction audit was addressed to the ITAO Director and examined transition work, confirming the office was operating.

What did the signed order change?

The Iraq Reconstruction Management Office coordinated reconstruction work and Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund spending. The Iraq Transition Assistance Office within State was to coordinate remaining infrastructure and assistance, take over IRMO functions, personnel and records, and terminate within the statutory temporary-organization period unless ended sooner.

What happened later?

Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction — audit: A January 2008 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction audit was addressed to the ITAO Director and examined transition work, confirming the office was operating.

What does that evidence establish?

5 U.S.C. 3161 limits the temporary organization’s duration; appropriations and applicable law constrain its activities. The audit shows the office existed, not that all projects achieved their intended outcomes. Read the signed order for its original terms.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
State Secretary and ITAO DirectorTransfer IRMO functions and oversee remaining assistance and reportingUnder the signed order and governing law

What happened next

EO 13431 signed.

A January 2008 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction audit was addressed to the ITAO Director and examined transition work, confirming the office was operating.

Signed order and follow-up evidence reviewed.