THOUSANDS JOCKEY TO REBUILD IRAQ.

Nearly 3,000 potential subcontractors showed up at meetings hosted by the construction company Bechtel National Inc. on two continents to learn about construction opportunities in Iraq. As USAID announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will serve as construction manager for the company's rebuilding contract, the contractor held the first of three program supplier conferences in Washington D.C. The May 21 meeting attracted more than 1,800 attendees. About 90% of the work will be subcontracted, says Clifford G. Mumm, company's program manager for the Iraq contract.