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Press Briefing, July 6, 2006

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Wednesday, 05 July 2006

SPECIAL BRIEFING FOR THE ARABIC MEDIA BY MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM CALDWELL, SPOKESMAN FOR THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ TOPICS INCLUDE: THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO EVENTS AT MAHMUDIYAH LOCATION: THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER, BAGHDAD, IRAQ DATE: THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2006

GEN. CALDWELL: Good afternoon. Thank you very much for coming here today on such short notice and during such busy times. We appreciate your interest in what we have to say, and we deeply value your efforts, as a free press in Iraq, to inform the Iraqi people.

In a democracy, the people must be informed. They must know the facts in order to make their own decisions, to shape their own lives, to decide for themselves what to believe. As such, we value the media's role during this process. The Iraqi people need your service in obtaining the facts.

I wish to provide an update on a topic that strikes at the very heart of who we are and the character of coalition forces, a topic that calls to account the core values of our force: honor, duty, courage, commitment, loyalty, integrity. In our commitment to be transformed -- transparent, to inform the public as rapidly and thoroughly as possible when we face our challenge to our core values, I will now offer an update regarding an investigation coalition forces have initiated, which has previously been announced but now we will discuss, and in a little more detail.

Coalition forces came to Iraq to serve, to uphold human dignity, to protect the rights and freedoms of ordinary Iraqis, and to defend the democratic values in your nation. As such, we will face each situation honestly. We will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the facts, will hold our service members accountable if and when found guilty of misconduct in a court of law.

On behalf of General Casey, the commander of the Multinational Force in Iraq, I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to all the family members who have lost a loved one in Mahmudiyah. No one should ever experience such a loss. No one should ever experience such turmoil. We understand this is very painful, confusing and disturbing, not only to the families who lost an innocent loved one but to the Iraqi people as a whole.

We are committed to the rule of law. We have faith in the justice system. And while all are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law, we hold all of our service members responsible for their actions.

Recently Major General James D. Thurman, commanding general of the Multinational Division in Baghdad, requested the Army Criminal Investigation Command to conduct an investigation into an incident in which soldiers allegedly killed a family of four Iraqi civilians in their home in the area of Mahmudiyah, south of Baghdad.

On June 23rd, two American soldiers reported alleged coalition force involvement in these deaths. A preliminary inquiry was conducted by the Multinational Division Baghdad, which found sufficient information existed to recommend a criminal investigation into this incident. The Army criminal investigation began on June 24th and is currently ongoing.

Steven D. Green, age 21, formerly stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, was arrested Friday evening in Asheville, North Carolina, United States of America, on charges of killing four Iraqi civilians -- a man, two women and a young girl -- and raping one of the adult female murder victims, U.S. Attorney David L. Huber of the Western District of Kentucky and a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent In Charge Tracy Reinhold of Louisville, Kentucky, announced on Tuesday, July 3rd.

A warrant for Green's arrest was issued Friday, June 30th, in the Western District of Kentucky. Green had an initial court -- had an initial appearance Tuesday on the Fourth of July in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is expected to be sent back to Kentucky for additional proceedings.

The charges allege that on March 12th, 2006, while stationed in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, with the 101st Airborne Division, Green and three other individuals went to a house in the vicinity of their traffic control point one near Mahmudiyah to rape one of the adult females living there. Green allegedly shot and killed an adult male, an adult female and a female child who were present in the home. The charges also allege that Green raped one of the adult females before shooting and killing her.

The Army's Criminal Investigation Division in Iraq is investigating these allegations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation in the United States.

Green, who is back in the United States, is subject to civilian prosecution under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, which allows crimes committed in foreign countries by members of the military to be prosecuted as if they had been committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

All coalition forces are trying to carry out their duties with honor, courage and commitment. They are expected to fully comply with the Law of Armed Conflict and with the rules of engagement.

We take allegations of wrongdoing by coalition forces very seriously and are committed to thoroughly investigating such allegations. Whenever required, coalition leadership is committed to holding fair and impartial proceedings in full compliance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice. We remain confident the military justice system will ensure a fair result. No matter what the outcomes of the investigations in this case I've reviewed with you, let us remember the selfless dedication of the hundreds of thousands of servicemembers who have served in Iraq. They have trained, worked, led and died alongside Iraqis for our rights and for your rights. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines do their utmost each day for the sake of freedom at home and your freedom here in Iraq. While we must not rush to judgment, the criminal allegations against a few should not outweigh the good deeds of the many.

And with that, I'll be glad to take any questions you all have on this case or anything else.

Q (In Arabic.)

GEN. CALDWELL: I'll discuss Haditha, then, with you all, if you would like to know about that.

For me, as you're aware, U.S. Army Lieutenant General Pete Chiarelli, commander of our Multinational Corps in Iraq, directed a preliminary investigation on February 14th of 2006 when allegations of possible violations of the rules in engagement in Haditha were brought to the attention to of coalition officers by the media reporting.

On March 9th of 2006, the preliminary investigation findings were presented, and Lieutenant General Chiarelli ordered a more detailed administrative investigation.

On June 16th of 2006, the investigating officer, Major General Bargewell, forwarded his report to Lieutenant General Chiarelli, whose review of this report is ongoing. A separate criminal investigation begun on the request of Marine Major General Richard Zilmer, the commander of Multinational Force West, is conducted by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The administrative review, conducted in accordance with Army regulations, what we call 1506, ordered by General Chiarelli, examines policies and procedures such as those pertaining to the training and reporting. The Naval Criminal Investigative Services is investigating the allegations of criminal misconduct. And right now that case is still being -- is under investigation, is still being worked.

(To questioner) -- did you want me to talk on one of the other cases, on Hamandiyah?

Q Yes, please.

GEN. CALDWELL: On Hamandiyah, I think some of you all may know that the case in Hamandiyah, based on the findings of a criminal investigation conducted there by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, seven Marines and one Navy corpsman have been charged with offenses, including kidnapping, murder and conspiracy, in connection with the death of Hashim Ibrahim Awad, an Iraqi civilian in Hamandiyah, Iraq on April 26, 2006.

The eight that have been charged -- I have their names if you would like those -- it's a Navy corpsman, 3rd Class Melson Bacos, Sergeant Lawrence Hutchins, Lance Corporal Tyler Jackson, Private 1st Class John Jodka, Corporal Marshall Magincalda, Lance Corporal Robert Pennington, Lance Corporal Jerry Shumate, and Corporal Trent Thomas. And they have been currently charged for those -- that offense, and that, obviously, is moving through the court proceeding right now. Q They're charged on American law or they will be sued by Iraqi law, because, you know, the -- Americans have immunity against everything what they do in Iraq.

GEN. CALDWELL: I've heard that. Let me, if I could, explain. Every member in the armed forces of the United States who is serving here in Iraq is subject to prosecution if they conduct a criminal act or an unethical behavior act. They are subject to criminal proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and, in the case of Green, under our federal courts back in the United States.

There is nobody who is immune from law. Everybody is subject to prosecution under our Uniform Code of Military Justice if they violate and conduct a criminal act or an unethical behavior. They are not immune.

Q Yes, sir, but you know, even Prime Minister Maliki, Jawad Maliki, Nouri Maliki, he said there is a problem because Americans have immunity to sue them, especially on Iraqi law, because, you know, they make their -- what they do is in Iraq, and they must sue by Iraqi law.

GEN. CALDWELL: There is a provision that says if you are a member of the armed forces that are serving over here, as these cases exist, and in fact we will prosecute you under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. They are not allowed -- American service members serving over here are, in fact, subject to the law. I think what you are asking, are they subject to Iraqi law, perhaps.

Q Yes.

GEN. CALDWELL: They're subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, American law. And these cases are being investigated as we speak, and if they are found to have conducted these offenses, will go to court and, if found guilty, will in fact receive the just punishment.

Q I'm sorry, just one more question.

GEN. CALDWELL: Yeah.

Q You mentioned that Green was -- there were three soldiers. What about the three soldiers? Are they under investigation, or just Green?

GEN. CALDWELL: No, no. I was talking about Green specifically only because he had already left and gone back to the United States. The other three soldiers are still here, and they're being investigated right now. Those charges have not been preferred against them yet. The investigation is still going on. We brought charges against Green because there was -- because the U.S. Attorney back there went ahead and preferred the charges in the United States.

I think what you might be asking a question about is, when we had the CPA in existence, there was a thing called CPA-17, which established an agreement with the transitional government to how, in fact, military members of the armed forces would be charged and prosecuted if a criminal offense or an unethical type thing occurred. It was agreed upon at that point that they would be subject first to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, under which we all are subject to no matter where we are in the world; whether we're back in the United States or overseas, we're all always subject to that law.

Does that help a little?

Q Yes, thank you.

STAFF: Okay. Please.

GEN. CALDWELL: Yes, sir?

Q I have two questions. (Through interpreter.) The soldier, Green -- I have two questions. When Green killed this family, along with the three American soldiers, is this family charged with terrorism? Why did he kill this family? Is this family charged with terrorism, for example? Is there any charge made against this family, like being terrorists or something like that?

GEN. CALDWELL: There's been no charges of any kind that we're aware of made against the family. The only charges are against these four soldiers, the four soldiers who are being charged.

Q (?) (Off mike) -- who has been charged, but they were still investigated.

GEN. CALDWELL: Well, one's been --

Q (Through interpreter.) Why did they kill this family? Is this family involved in any terrorist actions or something like that?

GEN. CALDWELL: That's the very reason why the investigation is going on by the Army Criminal Investigation Department at this point. At this point, there was enough evidence, enough reason to believe that these soldiers committed -- could have possibly committed this act. They're alleged to have committed it, and therefore the investigation is on them. That's what the Army Criminal Investigation Department is investigating.

In the investigation, obviously, and in the court proceedings, they would -- that's where you'd get more into the why, perhaps, it had occurred. But there's been no allegations of any kind made against the family that I'm aware of. At this time, there's been nothing, no allegations at all, made aware (sic) of this family. I mean, our presumption is, the family was innocent, at this point. I mean, at this point, that's the reason why we're having the investigation to determine the facts. Q (Through interpreter.) In the conference you said that the American forces are waiting for the forensic documents, and you said that you are waiting for evidence to condemn these -- to convict these soldiers.

In this briefing, you all said that you have evidence about them. What are you waiting for, now that Green maybe is facing a charge of death penalty for that? What's your opinion about that?

GEN. CALDWELL: I may need a little legal help on that one.

Green has been charged, as we discussed, at this point. The other three -- they're still collecting further evidence against them right now, and the charges have not yet been preferred. I think I'm saying that correctly.

Q This is Green --

GEN. CALDWELL: Pardon?

Q (Through interpreter.) About Green. I am talking about Green. You said that you have evidence that Green entered the house and killed the girl, killed the family members, and you said that you are waiting for the forensic documents. These are enough evidence to try Green and convict him in this issue. You said that you are waiting for some evidence, and -- but you mentioned some evidence about that.

GEN. CALDWELL: Well, the entire investigation is still going on. Even -- Green has been charged, but they have not taken it to the court yet because they're still collecting further evidence in the case. I mean, he -- there is enough evidence there to indicate that Green could have allegedly committed this offense of killing all four people in that house and having raped that woman, and so he has been charged. But they're still continuing to collect further evidence at this point, too.

Obviously, when you go to a court case, you want as much evidence to substantiate your case as you can possibly get, and so that -- they're still -- the investigation's still ongoing here in Iraq as we speak. It has not been concluded yet.

Q And the part that various individuals may have played -- they may not all potentially have done the same thing at the same time at the same place. So they have to ascertain --

GEN. CALDWELL: Yeah. You're still talking specifically about Green, though, right?

Q Uh-huh.

GEN. CALDWELL: Is the -- I mean, there is enough -- you know, as they sit here, he was -- he has, you know, been arrested on charges of having killed these four Iraqi civilians. But obviously -- I mean, they're still collecting further evidence in this case. They haven't finished collecting all of the evidence yet that they want in the case. They're still gathering more evidence in this case.

Q The last question --

GEN. CALDWELL: I'm sorry if I'm not really answering it real well.

Q No, no, no, no. It's okay. GEN. CALDWELL: But you know, probably what I -- you know what I will seek to do? I will seek to get us a legal person that could help explain the legal process a little better than perhaps I can explain it. Although I understand it, I'm not a legal expert. But I could set up in probably the next couple days to get a legal person to sit down and talk about it.

Q The last question. Okay.

GEN. CALDWELL: Okay.

Q (Through interpreter.) Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told the Arab Gulf States that he is displeased with this incident, and he wants to review the immunity of the American soldiers. What do you think of that?

GEN. CALDWELL: Well, we are here as guests of the Iraqi government, of your nation. And if the prime minister says that -- we are just as displeased with the performance of these soldiers as anybody else.

It pains us tremendously that our core values of what we represent and what we stand for and why we came to Iraq in the first place -- was to help the Iraqi people, so the fact that we have four of us, even though hundreds of and thousands of us served here, even four is too many to have done something wrong like this, and so it pains us greatly. And that was my reason for wanting to tell you that today, to express our condolences to the family members, to that family that had died in this terrible situation.

But we obviously, if the prime minister wants to engage in dialogue about the whole procedures by which they look at how criminal proceedings like this are handled, obviously we will. I mean, he's the prime minister of this country. This is your country; we are here only as your guest. And if he wants to engage in that dialogue, we absolutely will engage in that dialogue with him. That's his absolute right. This is your nation, it's not ours. We're here as your guests, and just like a guest at your home you could ask to leave whenever you want, the same goes for us being here in your country. So if the prime minister says he wants to do it, then we obviously will do it with him. We'll sit down and have a dialogue with him .

Q (Through interpreter.) Sir, this means that you agree to this, to hold a joint investigation, an Iraqi-American investigation? Do you agree to that?

GEN. CALDWELL: No, I -- I thought your question was that the prime minister said he wanted to review the procedures by how all this works. And obviously, we will sit down and have a dialogue with him on that. I'm not the one who would be sitting down having that dialogue, obviously, but we obviously -- if he says, "I want to dialogue about how the procedures are handled," then we will sit down and dialogue with the prime minister on it.

Q Thank you very much.

GEN. CALDWELL: Okay.

STAFF: (Off mike) -- transition to television. (Off mike.)

GEN. CALDWELL: Right. Are there any other questions?

Q Yes, one question, please. Is there any chance to participate, the Iraqi government, with this investigation? Because a part of this case is Iraqis, not just Americans. GEN. CALDWELL: Right.

Q You know, he's American, you can sue him or judge him, but there's Iraqis in this case. Is there any chance, by our lawyers or our government?

GEN. CALDWELL: I don't think anybody has said no to anything at this point. Obviously, the prime minister has said he wants to talk about this when he got back. He just go back today. And so he's the prime minister of this country. I mean, he's in charge. He can ask and discuss with us anything he wants to.

Q I'm not talking about the immunity of the members, I'm talking about the investigation.

GEN. CALDWELL: Right.

Q In the investigation, is there any chance to participate, the Iraqis, because we have Iraqi law and our justice system, and they have a right to participate in the investigation.

GEN. CALDWELL: I'm sure if the prime minister wants there to be some Iraqi oversight and awareness of how this case is proceeding, that he'll ask us that and the process will be worked to ensure as much open transparency as we possibly can in this whole process. I mean, we want to be as transparent and just as open as we can. There is no attempt at all to hide anything. And so we want to be transparent and we welcome the opportunity to have oversight by Iraqi authorities looking at what's going on and to keep them informed.

Q I have a question.

STAFF: Well, actually, we were going to go to the television portion now, so you could ask it when we do the TV portion.

Q Okay.

STAFF: Okay? Did we establish an order? Okay, you've worked out the order? Excellent.

Q (Through interpreter.) Is this going to be transferred over -- this investigation, after it's finished up, will be transferred over to the Iraqi court?

GEN. CALDWELL: Currently, during this ongoing investigation, it'll be handled under the Uniform Code of Military Justice system for those that are here still serving in uniform, and for PFC -- or the civilian now, Green, who used to be in the military that was here, he'll be tried currently under the U.S. court system, federal court system back in the United States of America, where he currently resides.

Q (Through interpreter.) Does that mean the Iraqi court system will not be involved in any way in this investigation or procedure after that?

GEN. CALDWELL: No, that's -- I think at this point, I think, the prime minister stated that he wants to come back and have a dialogue about what is going on with the -- this case. And we're open to listen and discuss with him, and we'll have an open engagement with him about this.

Q (Through interpreter.) So the final decision will be ultimately from the U.S. military and the court system?

GEN. CALDWELL: What I think I should say is, this is going to be a very open and transparent case. There would -- any information that is -- can be made available would be made available as soon as it can. There will be no attempt to hold back any information, as the only thing we want to make sure is that anything we do does not interfere with the due process of law. That's very important, not to violate that; that we follow the due process of law. And during that process, as information can be made available, we absolutely will make it available.

(Exchange in Arabic between interpreter and journalist.)

INTERPRETER: He wants to know if the judgments will be through the U.S. system court or through the Iraqi system court, the final decision.

GEN. CALDWELL: Well, currently they're being charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice through the military court system. That's how the process is currently being conducted.

(Exchange in Arabic between interpreter and journalist.)

INTERPRETER: He's still insisting you don't know exactly what system -- what court system will be -- the ultimate decision come out from.

GEN. CALDWELL: I know how we're proceeding forward at this point right now and that right now the case is being tried in the Uniform Code of Military Justice process, is how we're proceeding forward at this point.

Q Thank you very much.

STAFF: Okay. Thank you very much. We appreciate that. GEN. CALDWELL: Thank you.

Q Thank you, sir.

(Exchange in Arabic between interpreter and journalist. Technical adjustments.)

Q (Through interpreter.) The criminal act that took place in Mahmudiyah where the girl was raped and her family was killed -- why it was not disclosed, out earlier, until it was showed by different reports?

Why the military did not announce or at least tell us what happened in this and saying the terrorists did that or something like -- (off mike).

GEN. CALDWELL: Back in the March time frame, when this incident occurred, it was reported that it looked like it had been done by some kind of insurgent type of activity when it was initially investigated.

On June 23rd, we had an American soldier that came forward and said that report that was initially filed back in March was incorrect, and in fact there are American soldiers who in fact perpetrated that crime. And so he brought it forth, at which time the commanding general, who was notified of that, immediately conducted an investigation, found there to be enough evidence -- he found enough evidence to immediately direct the very next day that the Army Criminal Investigation Department be brought in to conduct a criminal investigation into this incident.

Q (Through interpreter.) There are so many incidents, maybe as big as this one, in many different areas of Iraq. What can you assure the Iraqi people it will not happen again or not take place again?

GEN. CALDWELL: What I can assure the Iraqi people is that we are here to uphold the rule of law, to stay with our core values. We came here at the request of the Iraqi government. We're here as your guest, and we are here to protect and safeguard the rights of each and every Iraqi citizen, and that each and every servicemember who's serving here came to do just that very thing.

And for the hundreds of thousands of men and women that have been here from the United States of America and our coalition partners serving, we want to continue doing the best we can for the Iraqi people. And any indications at all of misconduct or criminal activity will be immediately dealt with and thoroughly investigated by us because we will not tolerate that kind of behavior.

Q Thank you so much.

GEN. CALDWELL: Thank you.

(Pause for direction.)

Q (Through interpreter.) The prime minister has said for this incident that happen and he -- (inaudible) -- for him that he says he would like to have the Iraqi government involved in the investigation of this certain incident of crime as well as the idea as how to remove the protection from American soldier for any crime committed in Iraq during their duties.

GEN. CALDWELL: Well, first of all, let me say, we are also very upset and express our deepest condolences to the families -- members that are still alive, that lost a whole family there that day in March.

That's -- it is a terrible, tragic thing that occurred.

And we also, just as much as the prime minister, want to see justice done in this case. And we're committed to being as transparent, as open as we possibly can, as we pursue and continue to investigate all aspects of this case.

And since the prime minister asked, we will enter into dialogue with him, absolutely, and be just as forthcoming with any information that he wants to know or he asked of us.

What's important is that the Iraqi people see that we're going to hold ourselves accountable for the actions of each and every service member in this country.

Q (Through interpreter.) Can you brief us in any result that -- from the investigation you have done so far?

GEN. CALDWELL: The actual details of the investigation are still being held by the Criminal Investigating Department. As they proceed forward, they will make those known, with time, just so they don't violate the due process of law.

But what we do know is that Green, who used to serve here in Iraq, that is back in the United States now, out of the Army, as a civilian, has been picked up by the U.S. attorney's office, a warrant was issued for his arrest, and he has been arrested and charged with murder of the four family members.

STAFF: Last question.

Q Last question. (Through interpreter.) If you remember, in Haditha, we have that incidents, and the American forces, coalition forces said they will retrain their forces to be treating the Iraqi citizen better than we did, and just in the basic dealing with the Iraqi people.

GEN. CALDWELL: And we in fact have been going through that process for -- during the month of May and June.

We continually reinforce the importance and need to always treat everybody, and especially the Iraqi people, who -- we are your guest here, and your -- this is your country, we your guest in your country. We came here to help protect you, not to hurt you. And if we find an American service member who is not in fact doing that, we are going to deal with them appropriately, because we will not tolerate indiscretions of criminal or unethical behavior by any military member here in your country.

(Pause for direction.)

STAFF: Al-Arabiya TV.

(Pause for direction.)

Q (Through interpreter.) The Iraqi government requested to be -- (a role ?) for participate in the investigation. What's your opinion?

GEN. CALDWELL: We are here as the guest of the Iraqi government, of the Iraqi people, and if the prime minister desires to have some kind of oversight or be kept informed, we, obviously, are going to do that. I mean, this is your nation, this is your country, we are here as your guest. We want to always do a complete, fair and impartial legal proceeding as we go forward here, so that -- whatever happens is able to stand up in the rule of law in a court system. But clearly, we want to be just as transparent and just as open as we possibly can in this case.

Q (Through interpreter.) What's the maximum punishment if this case was proved to be done or the military individual committed that crime?

GEN. CALDWELL: The maximum penalty, that -- it can go all the way up to death if it's determined that it was a premeditated murder that was committed, but again, the legal proceedings and the court would make those kind of decisions. Nobody would predispose anything ahead of time as to what the outcome of the case would be or the sentencing from the case. But obviously, the maximum penalty if somebody in fact has committed premeditated murder could go all the way up to the death penalty.

(Pause for direction.)

Q (Through interpreter.) The government of Iraq requested to participate in their investigation. What's your opinion?

GEN. CALDWELL: Well, what we know is we are here as the guests of the Iraqi people. This is your nation, your sovereign nation. We are here as your guest, and obviously, anything that your prime minister wants to engage in dialogue with us on, we absolutely will do and discuss with them whatever he wants. Our desire is to ensure that this trial is done by the due process, that there's an open, transparent proceedings that follow forth, and that everybody is allowed the due process that's supposed to occur.

Q What is the maximum penalty for the soldier that committed the crime if there is evidence or this is a court judgment against him that he did what he did? GEN. CALDWELL: Obviously, the due process will go forth. They will have a court case. If he is found guilty, then there will be a sentencing phase. If somebody in fact has committed what we call premeditated murder, we do have in our Uniform Code of Military Justice the ability to give them the death sentence.

Q (Through interpreter.) What's your name?

GEN. CALDWELL: My name is Major General Bill Caldwell.

(Pause for direction.)

Q What is your opinion or what do you think will be the result of the court there will be or the judgment there will be against -- (inaudible word) -- Green from the American court system?

GEN. CALDWELL: Well, first of all let me just say on behalf of the United States government and all the military members serving here in Iraq we want to express our deepest condolences to all the family members that have a loved one that was there in Mahmudiyah in March and lost one of the four that were murdered.

It would be inappropriate for me to make any kind of statement as to what might become of a court case, because that would taint a court case. It's important to always have an open, honest, impartial court proceedings take place, and if I was to start presuming what may or may not occur, that would be very inappropriate.

Q (Through interpreter.) There are right now fighting in Diyali (sic), and the people of Diyali (sic) are complaining is this -- and killing for the innocent people. Is that mean they're going to continue this fighting down there?

GEN. CALDWELL: In which area?

INTERPRETER: Diyali (sic).

STAFF: Diyala.

GEN. CALDWELL: Diyala.

INTERPRETER: Oh, I'm sorry.

GEN. CALDWELL: And the question, again, was what was going --

INTERPRETER: Right now there is fighting going on in Diyala and the people of Diyala is asking how long this will continue killing the innocent people.

GEN. CALDWELL: We, just like the people of Diyala, would like to see the fighting stop. I have heard your prime minister call on everybody who's carrying a weapon who should not be to lay that down and take part in the political process. I mean, he's called for what's called the National Reconciliation and Dialogue, and we as coalition forces very much would like to see that happen. We're here obviously as the guest of the Iraqi government, and we want to support the prime minister and we hope, too, to see the fighting stop.

Q Thank you.

GEN. CALDWELL: Thank you very much.

END.