Press Briefing, Sept. 18, 2006
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Tuesday, 19 September 2006
Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV
Spokesman,
Multi-National Force - Iraq
and
Brig. Gen. Qassim Mousawi
Spokesman,
Iraqi Armed Forces
IRAQ OPERATIONAL UPDATE BRIEFING
BRIEFERS: MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM CALDWELL, SPOKESMAN, MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE - IRAQ, AND BRIG. GEN. QASSIM MOUSAWI, SPOKESMAN, IRAQI ARMED FORCES
LOCATION: COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER, BAGHDAD, IRAQ
DATE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2006
GEN. QASSIM (sp) (Iraqi general): (In progress; through interpreter) -- to receive big volunteers, a big number of volunteers for the Iraqi army. The number of the volunteers until yesterday amounted to 22,000 volunteers in all the recruit centers across the provinces of Iraq. There is good response from the citizens to volunteer in the Iraqi army, and this is a great evidence that the people believe in the justice of the cause of Iraq. And we have also formation of the Air Forces Command, and also formations in the Navy forces. We have -- (inaudible) -- many military academies which are connected by the training, leadership: one staff academy, one military academy, one civil defense academy, and one language institution which was preparing the officers which are qualified to assume high-ranking positions in the Iraqi army. This is -- (inaudible) -- of the formation of the Iraqi army forces.
Thank you very much. ALI AL-DABBAGH (Iraq government spokesman): (Through interpreter.) Now General William Caldwell will brief you about the situation of the Multinational Forces and their support for the Iraqi forces.
GEN. CALDWELL: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As-salaam aleikum.
Thank you, Dr. al-Dabbagh and General Qassim (sp) for the kind invitation to join you here today. On behalf of General Casey and all the members of the coalition force, I would like to congratulate you and your government of Iraq for your dedication and commitment towards building an Iraq at peace with its neighbors, an Iraq with a representative government that respects the human rights of all, and an Iraq that is working towards equipping and training sufficient security forces capable of maintaining domestic order and to deny Iraq as a safe haven to terrorists.
The Multinational Force, comprised of 162,000 service members from 27 different countries, remains committed in our effort to assist in the development of the Iraqi security forces and to the government of Iraq as it faces the complex challenges inherent in a new democracy.
Every day we see the Iraqi security forces taking the lead to defeat the insurgency, to quell ethnosectarian violence and to ensure a safe and stable and secure life for the Iraqi people. They have made tremendous strides in the equipment, the combat readiness, the leadership and confidence within the Iraqi security forces.
I would like to also congratulate the Iraqi Ground Forces Command as they assume operational command of the 4th Iraqi Army Division today. This event shows significant progress in the building of the Iraqi armed forces capabilities and forms the basis for a joint force capable of protecting its people and preserving peace.
As Iraqi security forces take on more responsibility for security, coalition forces will increasingly move into a supporting role. The coalition's military posture on the ground will remain responsive and flexible. As the security situation evolves, coalition forces will maintain sufficient forces to assist the government of Iraq as they so request.
The increase in coalition forces in Baghdad as part of the prime minister's plan for the Baghdad security plan is an example of that flexibility. Coalition forces will continue to partner with Iraqi security forces to provide training and other support as necessary. In addition, we will continue to work with the democratically elected government of Iraq on improving security, promoting national reconciliation and rule of law, and helping the leadership of Iraq deliver essential services to the Iraqi people.
Again, thank you, sir, for this kind opportunity to join you today. And we look forward to continuing to work together as we move forward in securing a more stable peace for the people of Iraq. Thank you.
MR. AL-DABBAGH (?): Shukran, General Caldwell.
Q (Through interpreter.) My question to you, Mr. Dabbagh, and for General Caldwell: What does the transfer of operation field command for the Iraqi army for command mean? Yesterday there were five VBIEDs in Kirkuk, and scores of bodies were found in Baghdad every day, and the Iraqi government has never succeeded to stop this and as the insurgents are still roving the streets of Iraq, and Anbar Province is out of the control of the Iraqi government.
What does this mean, the transfer of operational field command?
MR. : As we know that Iraq faces a terrorism wave. Wherever we make progress in the particular process, the terrorists increase their attacks. There are terrorist groups in Iraq which try to prevent the political process in Iraq. We have seen how Anbar province has been affected by some terrorist groups. You hear that some of the tribal leaders there are called -- appealed to the government to help them to fight the terrorists there, and they will take -- (inaudible) -- and they will support the Iraqi forces, too, in their battle against terror.
There is a war between Iraqis and some terrorists who try to destabilize Iraq. The transfer of security -- it means that the Iraqi forces will reach a sufficient level of competence and capabilities to be ready to depend on themselves, so all the security should be transferred to the -- in the hand of the Iraqi forces. The sovereignty should be handed over to Iraqi forces. This is a normal issue. We see how the Iraqi government is seeking to achieve the national reconciliation. Many groups presented and want to join the reconciliation project, and we will see great cooperation between these groups and the Iraqi government to fight the terrorist groups which want to kill Iraqis.
Q (Name and affiliation inaudible.) Will you please -- the situation today -- that you said that there is relative progress on the ground. Does this mean that Iraqi forces will receive good equipment?
MR. : This question will be answered by General Caldwell as long as the Multinational Forces are responsible for the training.
GEN. CALDWELL: In response to your question, we are committed to providing the absolute best equipment to the Iraqi security forces. It's a constant dialogue that goes on, and ultimately it is the decision of the government of Iraq as to what equipment is received.
Most recently, you can see that just in the uparmormed humvees that are being passed on to the Iraqi Security forces that are being produced in the United States and delivered over here to give directly to them.
But you will also see that in other equipment that I know the prime minister has requested, which will be delivered upon the time period which he so states that he wants it delivered to the Iraqi security forces.
Q (Through interpreter.) My question to Major General Qassim (sp): We see progress in the Iraqi army's capabilities, in cooperation with the coalition forces. There are clashes in Fabel (sp) for the second days -- in Fabel (sp) neighborhood in Baghdad. Also, the militants are roaming the streets in the Fabel (sp) neighborhood in Baghdad. How can you answer this?
GEN. QASSIM (sp): (Through interpreter.) The Fabel (sp) neighborhood is under the legal command of the Iraqi army in the 9th Division. We every day receive tips about the militants' actions in this neighborhood. We -- the patrols were always roaming the streets. The militants have weapons, not like described by the media, about the sniper and the mortar. When we searched the neighborhood, we found some rifles. Only now Iraqi forces deployed in this neighborhood and the situation in this neighborhood is under control by the Iraqi forces.
Q (Through interpreter.) Did you see these kinds of weapons -- rocket launchers and the weapons there -- rockets, mortars, snipers over the roofs of the buildings?
MR. : No.
GEN. QASSIM (sp): (Through interpreter.) Every day scores of people are killed in these actions. Yesterday I checked out this with the deputy commander of the 9th division. He told me that the weapons we found: four rifles, small arms, pistols, two pistols. We searched the neighborhood. The information -- we tried to check out this again.
Q (Through interpreter.) Ali Khalil (sp) from Al Masal (sp) Satellite TV. What about the government decision -- statement about the chief judge who described Saddam as not dictator?
MR. : (Through interpreter.) The government is not interfering in the criminal court of Iraq. The government (holds ?) this court as independent and provisional for many reasons. One reason we have -- we need to (build ?) a state of law in Iraq. Also, we want just, fair law in Iraq. Also, we need this court, through its supervisional and through its -- (inaudible) -- to show the volume of the -- of this dictator. This is the worst dictator ever who was in Iraq.
So the government doesn't intervene in the call -- (comments ?). We respect the feelings of Iraqis.
This dictator who is called Saddam is -- (inaudible) -- and the chief judge, when he said to him it is not that there are witnesses, there are evidences, and he is subject to the judicial system. And as you see that the Iraqi government, since the beginning of the court, they didn't intervene in this court, but in general this man is a dictator and -- (inaudible) -- in Iraq.
Q (Through interpreter.) What is the opinion of the Iraqi government that Ahmed Chalabi said that there is not any presence of the Iraqi government in Anbar Province? What do you think, after three years of the building Iraqi army?
MR. : (Through interpreter.) The Iraqi government doesn't like to comment on the unidentified reports. The efforts in Anbar Province are continuous. There is progress in cooperation between the local citizens there and the tribal leaders. The conference of the tribal leaders there was very successful, and the tribal leaders proposed to support the Iraqi government in reconciliation to maintain security and all across Iraq. And as you see that Anbar Province is a very essential part of this country and dearest part of this country, and the government will exert -- (inaudible) -- security in Diyala Province and Anbar Province to protect the Iraqis from these terrorists.
Q (Through interpreter.) Abdullah Abdiqeri (ph) from Al Rafadiya (ph) Channel.
You said that there is coordination between the Iraqi forces and the foreign forces in Iraq. But the question is that is there coordination between the Iraqi forces themselves? Especially we witnessed last week about the third phase of the Baghdad security plan, which is issued by -- which is about the buffer zone around Baghdad.
MR. : (Through interpreter.) The question, is there coordination between the Iraqi forces themselves? The -- (inaudible) -- that we saw, the bombing of Fadr (ph) neighborhood, four houses in Fadr (ph) neighborhood were destroyed due to the mortar attacks in Fadr (ph). There are scores of wounded people.
The -- (inaudible) -- forces deployed in this area.
There is actually cooperation, high coordination and clear coordination, and I explained that during the Shabaniyah ritual ceremony and also how -- and also the Baghdad Security Plan comprises the army and the police -- (inaudible) -- coordination. What the spokesman of the MOI said that -- it was just a thought about the buffer zone. It is not necessary that this is -- that they digging a trench around Baghdad. This (uses grounds ?). The MOD is responsible for the phase three of Baghdad security plan.
Q (Name and affiliation inaudible.) The bombings in Kirkuk, that came a day after the demand of the -- to bring back the former president, Saddam Hussein. This indicates that message is from terrorists who support those who demand -- bring back Saddam Hussein. What is the level of counterterrorism and the demands and the cause of the killings and the media who support the terrorism, one way or another?
MR. AL-DABBAGH (?): The terrorism, as you know, has many branches. One of the branches is the (generals ?) and also some of the most clearest -- (inaudible) -- killing. All Iraqis should be protected from these terrorist groups.
The appeals of the cause in Kirkuk don't represent the tribal leaders and the local citizens in Kirkuk. We always hear some voice issued in -- (in whatever -- the TV ?) of why the tribe said that we are not committed in this statement. We don't like to comment on this statement. We don't care about this statement.
The VBIEDs are messages from terrorists but also to Iraqis, and I think that all Iraqis prove this challenge, and it is very difficult.
GEN. QASSIM (sp) (?): What happened in Kirkuk -- it was during a press conference. And the tribal leader of -- (inaudible) -- tribe called to bring back Saddam Hussein to power. And the same sheikh said that he doesn't talk about this issue, and he doesn't represent all the tribes in Kirkuk.
Q My question to Major General Qassim, there is coordination between the forces, and we see the expulsion every day.
Can we stop this?
GEN. QASSIM (sp) (?): The second phase of Baghdad security plan dealt with this issue, handled this issue. There are continuous operations to eliminate the terrorists across Baghdad in Amiriyah neighborhood, Ghazalia neighborhood. The army forces there are trying to bring back those people who emigrated the neighborhoods. We have a brigade in the Ghazalia neighborhood, and they told us that some of the families brought back to their homes. There is a joint coordination, there is MOD and MOI operational rules.
MR. AL-DABBAGH: The immigrants issue is very concerned of the government and it is connected to all Baghdad security plan. And one phase of the plan is to bring back those immigrants and to provide protection for them.
Q (Through interpreter.) (Name inaudible) -- from the Iraqi TV. As we talk about the security, the past four days many bodies were found. How do you explain this?
MR. AL-DABBAGH: As for the media, we can say that the media should be very accurate in conveying the number of the bodies of the victims. This is critical. An inaccurate number of bodies has been reported. And we are now working to form an (oversight ?) body which announce the number of the bodies and victims.
Q (Through interpreter.) Mr. al-Dabbagh, all agree that there is killing by IED explosion. There is increase of terrorist attacks, which parallel with the political process. How can you explain the big increase of the militias which have divided the cities into Sunni and Shi'a neighborhoods? What is the government stance over this?
MR. AL-DABBAGH: The government represent the legitimacy in Iraq. Any weapon out of the control of the army is illegal. So the integration of militias is with the National Reconciliation Project. This is a political project proposed to the Iraqi government, and the Iraqi government is seeking to integrate these militias within the accordance of this country. The country cannot rise up and stand up on its feet without one army and one national police.
Any body or organization outside the army or the national police is illegal.
Q (Through interpreter.) My question is to Major Caldwell. We see the continuous attacks against the U.S. position in Anbar Province. The militant groups once again appear in Anbar. Do you have any plan to counter these attacks?
GEN. CALDWELL: Obviously, the situation out in Al Anbar is very complex, and it is a multi-pronged approach that is being dealt with out there. Clear to the long-term stability is the stand-up of the Iraqi police forces. And just in the last eight months, over 6,000 Iraqi police have been trained and equipped and put onto the streets out there, and you see that in towns such as al Qaim and Fallujah, where there is much greater Iraqi police security force presence in the city than there was before.
In addition to that, what will be critical is the standing up of the governance elements, the establishment of a mayor and a city council and the police chief and the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police forces working together. And again we see that happening today in Fallujah and al Qaim.
And then the next piece is the economic development that needs to occur out there. All three of those together are what will bring back security and stability to that region. But we also see it in -- you know, as we read and listen to what the tribal leaders are saying out there too, they very much want to see security brought back to that area and stability for the people.
So it's not going to happen overnight. It's going to take a longer period of time. But as we watch and see what the Iraqi police and Iraqi security forces do, we're very optimistic about the future of the province. But it will not occur in the next two or three months. It's going to be a much longer time period for that to take place.
Q (Through interpreter.) My question to Mr. al-Dabbagh. What is the result of the national (reconstruction ?) project?
MR. AL-DABBAGH: (Through interpreter.) When those who violated the constitution -- this is not a (media forum ?). The government took a courageous step to find a solution for the security and to give opportunity to each Iraqi and to every opponent to think again about their political process and as to involve in this process and to involve in the building of the country.
This courageous step by the government was to isolate the terrorists from the local citizens, even those who are running counter to the government's political stance.
They (honor ?) people presented to the government in order to involved in this reconciliation project. The next step, the government saw that all people should be united in order to carry out all the recommendations on the proposal of the national reconciliation projects and also to try to -- (inaudible) -- measures against the terrorists and the murders who don't like to build their country and who don't want to see Iraqis say, "Well, this project is -- this national reconciliation project is very (dare ?) and courageous." And they say that we have -- we should support this project.
Q (Through interpreter.) Ahmed Jabila (ph) from Al-Sharqiya (ph) TV.
Deputy Prime Minister (thought ?) that Council of Ministers intends to release -- (inaudible) -- to disarm militias. Do you give us more details about this?
MR./GEN. : (Through interpreter.) This is political accordance within -- with political projects, which all parties which have militias or don't have militias involvement. There is a political dimension for this project, and we need to follow on this project, and the government through its program announce the intention to respond to militias.
Q (Name inaudible) -- Associated Press. How great a threat do you believe weapons smuggling and technology smuggling is from across the borders?
GEN. CALDWELL: Okay. Just to make sure I have your question correct, is how much smuggling is there? Is that the --
Q How big a threat do you think that the possibility of smuggling poses, or is there smuggling actually going on?
GEN. CALDWELL: We know there absolutely is smuggling that does occur across the border, primarily with both Syria and Iran, and we don't know necessarily what degree that, you know, this is some kind of extremist elements. It could be some surrogate elements that are doing this. But we do know and can emphatically state that we have seen that coming in from both countries. We do know that from Iran we've seen IED-making equipment, armament and munitions that have been, in fact, intercepted and captured by Iraqi security forces and coalition forces down in -- along the southern -- mostly southeastern portion of the border there.
So it does occur. It's something everybody's working really hard to get at.
Therefore, you see the recent establishment of really the last border fort finally being stood up here in Iraq. You see the border forces, which were discussed earlier, about 27,000 strong, that are now being put around the country by the government of Iraq to start providing additional security out there.
It -- there's also huge swaths of desert. It's a challenging task, to say the least. But the forces now are in place. They've been trained. They're now equipped. And we would hope to see, with time, a change in the amount of smuggling that has occurred in the past.
MR. : (In Arabic.)
Q (Through interpreter.) Shortly the -- (inaudible) -- held a press conference that MP Saleb (sp), who was kidnapped, and the -- (inaudible) -- (off mike) -- my question -- (inaudible). The -- (inaudible -- called --
MR. : (Through interpreter.) The -- as the press conference is dictated by security, the Iraqi governments want to thank the citizens of Karbala during Shabaniyah ritual ceremony and want -- like to thank all the people of Iraq. Thank you very much.
END.
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