 |
NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
|
| December 7, 2003 Release Number: 03-12-16 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CELEBRATION BUILDS FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN COALITION, IRAQIS HATRA, IRAQ - Coalition soldiers, local patrons and international media danced traditional dances, sang customary songs and ate a feast of both American and Iraqi food as the sun went down on this ancient city. The evening's celebrations ended the Ramadan season and included presentations from Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, commanding general, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Hatras Mayor Nofil Hamade Sultan. According to Petraeus, the celebration showed the friendship and working relationship between the Iraqis of Hatra and Coalition Forces. The general spoke about the progress the city of Hatra has made, adding that the people have grown because they opened their eyes to new cultures. Hatra, located southwest of Mosul, dates back to 300 B.C., and has recently re-opened to tourism after many years. -30- |
||
