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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 |
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| June 5, 2003 Release Number: 03-06-15 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COALITION EFFORTS AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY (June 5, 2003) CAMP DOHA, Kuwait - Coalition Forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq through the following activities. NORTHERN AND CENTRAL IRAQ Coalition Forces recently - Conducted the 10th "Task Force Neighborhood" mission in the Al Rashid District of Baghdad, with the assistance of 50 hired Iraqis, which: -- Repaired four doors in the Al Shafek Middle School for girls. -- Rewired and connected electrical power to the district council building. -- Hauled away 280 tons of rubble from behind the District Counsel Building. -- Treated three Iraqis for minor ailments and provided information for further care. -- Provided dental treatment to 39 patients along with a local dentist who also helped with translation. -- Removed 11 rocket-propelled grenade rounds from a market place, ammunition and weapons from two other sites, and verified clearance of a reported cache near a school. -- Conducted the 11th Task Force Neighborhood clean-up mission at a school in Mosul, which: -- Hired four civilian dump trucks to supplement US military assets. -- Purchased $2,500 in parts and supplies for the Mosul Olympic pool with repairs estimated to be complete by June 6. -- Completed graffiti removal in the University area. -- Distributed 5.5 million liters of benzene in Baghdad, exceeding the pre-war high of 5.2 million. -- Received 167 benzene and 52 propane trucks from Turkey in Mosul. -- Continued $40 emergency payments to pensioners in the greater Mosul area. -- Distributed $1,248,660 to banks and post offices in Northern Iraq for pension payments yesterday. -- Distributed $263,960 to post offices for social care and social security payments starting June 5. -- Reported that the World Food Program distributed 150 metric tons of wheat to food agents in Northern Iraq, and began distribution of sugar, detergent, soap, and tea today. - Hosted the Mayor of Mosul in the Sununi area to discus elections, legitimate local authority and harvest issues. - Participated in the second Tuz city council meeting to discuss local sanitation, city sewage and fuel resupply. - Continued to conduct "Team Neighborhood" missions in Baqubah which collected trash, conducted area beautification and assessed needed repairs to local schools. - Met with Al Qaim area sheikhs and Iraqi National Congress representative to discuss the formation of a city council and restoration of basic services. - Helped Iraqi engineers complete repairs of dams north of Ar Ramadi. - Transported and consolidated 70 truckloads (over 6,800 tons) of captured Iraqi munitions outside of Baghdad. - Destroyed 39 tons of captured Iraqi ammunition in Baghdad. - Facilitated a 238-truck World Food Program convoy (5,449 metric tons) from Turkey to deliver food to Dohuk, Mosul, Erbil and Sulaymaniwah. - Facilitated a 298-truck World Food Program convoy from Jordan to deliver food to Baghdad, Babil, Diyala, Wasit and Dohuk. - Reported that 50 trucks from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia resupplied their field hospital in Baghdad. SOUTHERN IRAQ AN NASARIYAH - Assisted the Red Crescent in the planning for the repair and upgrade of the water pumping stations in Ash Shatrah. - Paid former Iraqi army members a one-time payment of 70,000 dinars each. - Assisted in the removal of four low lift pumps from an obsolete irrigation pumping station to use for future rehabilitation projects at other locations. - Attended the first all-governate meeting of the An Nasiriyah City Council and town councils of Suk Ash Shuyukh, As Sahtra, Ar Rifa, and Al Cubaiyish. This is a major step forward in improving the responsibility, accountability and inclusiveness of the government structure in Thi Qar. AL KUT - Reported two Marine Corps staff non-commissioned officer rescued two young boys from drowning in the Tigris river by throwing a cargo strap to them and pulling them out. - Report that Al Kut is now receiving 10 tons of Iraqi propane per day. AN NAJAF - Granted $500 each to 18 schools for repairs. - Reported that the election committee met to draft the election timeline proposal. AL HILLAH - Continued discussions with civic and religious leaders for the establishment of a city council that provides a system of checks and balances within the local government. - Coordinated the third day of the civil servant salary payments. The team paid the municipal services, education, police and communications departments. AL HILLAH - Report that construction work at the Hammurabi, Al Jannan and Mahawil fire stations is progressing well. - Received a total of 17 boxes of medical supplies for distribution to the International Dispensary Association. - Completed the first draft of the Babylon City Council bylaws. - Received initial funding to begin the sewage aeration tank clean up. AS SAMAWAH - Reported funding was approved for basic repairs to the police facilities. Started to replace windows at the Samawah General Hospital. - Transferred funds to the municipal department to support their caretakers and associated vehicles. - Met with the advisory council and reviewed the names that they recommended to create a reformed city council. AD DIWANIYAH - Coordinated the Coalition Provisional Authority stipend payment of $20 each to 800 traffic and city policemen in the governate. - Reported the banks received 4.8 billion dinars to use for civil service salary payments. - Have assisted in completing assessments of five of the nine fire stations in the Ad-Diwaniyah province, and have started initial assessments of rescue vehicles and equipment. - Completed questioning of 188 teachers and headmasters about possible Ba'ath party affiliation and participation. - Coordinated a dedication ceremony at the Developmental Secondary School. KARBALA - Received a benzene gasoline shipment, which is a four-day supply for the city. - Met with representatives from Bechtel to discus infrastructure projects at the hospital and sewage treatment plant. -30- |
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