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
October 6, 2004
Release Number: 04-10-17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARINES CONTINUE CONDOLENCE PAYMENTS IN NAJAF
FOB DUKE, Iraq - Marines from the 11th MEU dispatched a mobile payment team to neighborhoods in Najaf for 10 hours yesterday, making $176,180 worth of "on the spot" solatia and collateral damage payments to Iraqis caught in the crossfire when multinational and Iraqi security forces battled Muqtada al-Sadr and his militia in August.
The mobile team, which visited neighborhoods throughout the city for a second time this week, was created to expedite payments and ensure all Najafis have the opportunity to get paid for legitimate damage.
The mobile team serves as an augment to enhance weekly payouts held at the Government Information Center, which began Sept. 20.
Since then, more than $570,000 has been paid to 533 Najafis. Payments will continue as long as needed to meet each valid case.
Condolence payments, or solatia, are given to express sympathy for injury or death. Collateral damage repair payments are intended to cover damage to homes, businesses or other property.
"We've gone mobile to ensure every Najafi gets the opportunity to get quickly compensated for legitimate losses or injury," said Col. Anthony M. Haslam, commanding officer, 11th MEU. "We're thinking outside the box to expedite a slow process, motivated by the desire to make life better for the locals."
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