Press Briefing, Oct. 4, 2006
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Tuesday, 03 October 2006
Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV
Spokesman,
Multi-National Force - Iraq
IRAQ OPERATIONAL UPDATE BRIEFING BRIEFER: MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM CALDWELL, USA, SPOKESMAN, MULTINATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ LOCATION: COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER, BAGHDAD, IRAQ TIME: 8:00 A.M. EDT DATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2006
GEN. CALDWELL: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. "As-salaam aleikum."
Approximately 48 hours ago, Prime Minister Maliki, flanked by key political parties and religious sects, signed a pledge aimed at ending internal battles that were sapping the strength of the Iraqi people and preventing the unity that this country so desperately needs. The pledge calls for the creation of a joint committees throughout the Baghdad districts made up of clerics, tribal sheikhs, and representatives from all political blocs and the armed forces, to confront and contain violence. The frank dialogue that went into the development of this plan shows a concerted effort by all sects to reduce the sectarian violence. Reconciliation among Iraqis is ultimately what will quell this needless bloodshed. This plan enables citizens on all sides to hold their security forces responsible, and to take responsibility for creating peace and tolerance within their own neighborhoods. Unfortunately, as expected, attacks have steadily increased in Baghdad during these past weeks. While casualties were up in September, they did not increase in proportion to the number of attacks. The overall effectiveness of attacks, or the enemy's ability to inflict casualties or cause damage has decreased and has been decreasing since the June time period.
In September we did see a rise in sensational attacks. Last week we also saw the highest number of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices this year that were both found and cleared, and those that were detonated. The number of IEDs, or improvised explosive devices, is also at an all-time high. But Iraqi security forces and coalition forces continue to find and clear a portion of these devices. Methods to combat IEDs are proving effective, but have not eliminated the threat of these deadly weapons.
Slide and chart, please.
Over the past few days, large parts of Baghdad have experienced blackouts and water shortages due to failures in the city's main power grid. The government of Iraq, I know, is aggressively working to remedy these problems, and should restore levels back to the previous in about a 48-hour time frame.
With regards to security, Iraqi security forces, with coalition forces in support, have not begun any new clear-and-search operations in Baghdad this week. What you will find instead is that they have been conducting patrolling operations in the areas here of number 10, 11, five and down here in nine.
And it looks kind of tan from your location, but those are the four areas for clearing operations. No intent to remain there permanently, but rather conduct, as we say, patrolling through those areas is ongoing as we speak right now. And the green areas are what we call focus areas. We have in fact seen that the level of violence has to continue to be maintained at a fairly low level, except for again still where we're concerned is up there in the Ghazalia area, where in fact there's continually efforts in there to get in and increase the level of violence. Although still well below that before the Baghdad security plan started, it's something that we're having to watch very carefully up in this area right here.
Statistically-wise, same thing as before, we provide each week. You can see right here the average number of Iraqis that have been employed daily have been about 1,166 through efforts associated with conducting projects specifically in the green focus areas. Last week, we talked to you about ongoing projects in those areas and the amount of money that's currently being spent to improve the quality of life and provide basic services -- water, electricity and sewage back to those neighborhoods.
All across the focus areas, neighborhood and district advisory councils are in fact working together to develop and execute clean-up and reconstruction projects. As part of this effort, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces are working with the local leaders to ensure that the essential service needs are well developed and coordinated with the Provincial Reconstruction Development Councils.
Slide and chart, please.
Over the past three months, murders and executions have caused the majority of civilian deaths in Iraq. Operations do continue against these death squads. As we know, these death squad and illegal armed groups continue to attack and focus on innocent Iraqi civilians -- men, women, even children. There was 13 operations conducted in and around the Baghdad area. They're listed here with the locations. As you can see, these numbers here are just outside, but within the Baghdad city area.
Specifically within the city, there were seven operations conducted. Of note was this operation that was conducted right up here, number two. Again, by the vigilance of patrols out there operating in the streets, what we found was patrol had gone by on previous days to this one abandoned building area, had seen no activity. This one particular day, specifically on the 26th of September, they noticed some activity. They brought in a larger force, went in to investigate, found that in fact there was six persons from an illegal group in there.
They had in fact taken hostage of an Iraqi lieutenant colonel -- Iraqi police lieutenant colonel and his son, had held them captive, and they were freed as a result of that vigilance of forces on the ground paying attention, doing what they're supposed to be doing during their security operations within the city.
In regards to al Qaeda in Iraq, Iraqi and coalition forces during the month of September killed over 110 terrorists and detained over 520 of them in 164 operations. Of those, 50 were foreign fighters that were killed and 16 captured. Again, as we've discussed in previous press conferences, that is a significant upturn from the numbers that we had during the month of August, about what we had expected -- we have in fact would probably see during the month of September.
Additionally, based on information from a recently detained al Qaeda in Iraq member, coalition forces on September 28th detained a former driver and personal assistant of Abu al-Masri along with 31 others during a series of raids that were conducted in the Baghdad area specifically targeting al Qaeda in Iraq targets. So again, that was on the evening of September 28th, 11 separate and distinct raids conducted throughout the city specifically targeting AQI, in which they were able to detain a driver and personal assistant of al- Masri's.
This is the second close associate of al-Masri we captured during the month of September. Intelligence indicates that this individual we captured here participated in the 2005 bombing of the Sheraton and Al Hamra Hotels in Baghdad that killed a total of 16 people and injured 65 others. Coalition forces did identify and detain him without incident.
In regards to Iraqi security forces continuing to take the lead, over the course of this past week, one battalion and three brigades of the Iraqi army assumed the lead in their respective areas of operation. What that gives us now to date is a total of six Iraqi army division headquarters, 30 brigades, 89 battalions that are in the lead in their respective areas of operation. Also, of the 110 bases that the coalition forces have occupied since 2003, 52 now have been turned over to Iraqi control, the most recent one being the Forward Operating Base Duke in Najaf province that was turned over to the commander of the 5th Department of Border Enforcement of the Ministry of Interior. Within the Ministry of Interior forces, there are now more than 25,000 national police. Earlier this summer, Multinational Forces Iraq began phase one of a national police assessment program termed Quick Look, which was designed to assess each battalion's capabilities and readiness with regards to the equipment status, personnel accountability, weapons accountability, battalion facilities and overall unit discipline and current combat capabilities. Phase one has ended, and we have initiated phase two, which focuses on leader and police transformational training. This phase began on October 2nd, yesterday, with the 4th Brigade of the 1st National Police Division, which will go through a three-week training program focused on leader training, civil policing skills and training on key collective tasks required at the small-unit level.
Sequence and timing of future brigade training will be driven by operational requirements. Key blocks of instruction include rule of law, police in a democracy, police role in counterinsurgency operations, human rights, community policing, and culminating with platoon-level police situational training exercise.
This transformational training phase will continue and be completed sometime in the summer of 2007, when the last brigade graduates from that training program.
National police have begun to transition to their new digital uniforms also. As each national police brigade completes their transformational training, they'll be issued the new uniform. One of the reasons why the national police are going through -- be issued a new uniform because there have been cases in the past where criminal acts and sectarian violence have been perpetrated by people wearing police uniforms.
The Ministry of Interior and coalition forces know that there is some mistrust of police forces within the Iraqi population, and the MOI, Ministry of Interior, is taking steps to address this concern, as they recognize that trust and confidence can only be gained from the Iraqi people through a capable, professional and proven police force.
Quick Look was designed to assist in that effort, and based upon the results of that inspection and other reporting, the Ministry of Interior announced late last night that a no-notice recall of the 8th Brigade, 2nd National Police, is now being executed in order to provide intensive training prior to that brigade's entry into the transformational training that they're supposed to begin in early November.
This brigade is being pulled off line immediately. They will report to a forward operating base to reorganize and begin, specifically, anti-militia, anti-sectarian violence and national unity training both at the unit level and at the individual level. This brigade's past performance has not demonstrated the level of professionalism sought by the Ministry of Interior.
There are clearly units within the police forces that need retraining, but there are also others that have proven themselves to be very competent and professional units.
As the Iraqi security forces continue to grow in numbers and capabilities, another significant aspect of the Iraqis in the lead is governance. On Monday I was in Hillah, in Babil province, where I had the opportunity to meet with some local people, provincial, district and municipal leaders.
I learned about the efforts there of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, which is a U.S-led civil-military effort to foster local governance. The Provincial Reconstruction Teams teach, coach, mentor Iraqi civil leaders at all levels in the methods and means for developing governance capacity, promoting increased security, rule of law, political and economic development, and assisting provincial administrations to meet the basic needs or essential services of their populations.
Since the fall of Saddam, local governance has taken on a whole new meaning here in Iraq. In Hillah, as in all of Iraq, there are challenges. The local leaders spoke of their determination to serve their people and effect changes in their communities.
The Babil Provincial Council members stress that 35 years of mismanagement and corruption will not be overcome very easily, but they told us how they are developing core competencies in public administration, finance, budgeting, urban and municipality planning, and accountability. Services are being provided and projects are being planned. In Babil Province and all across Iraq, people are learning how to self-govern, how to live under the principles of democracy rather than fear and oppression. Iraqis are clearly focused on improving their quality of life and working towards a brighter future.
There are six other fully functional Provisional Reconstruction Teams in Iraq. Two of them will be inaugurating this month, one tomorrow in Diyala Province, and one in Baqubah on October 125th. We anticipate three additional Provincial Reconstruction Teams will be created in the near future and be found in the provinces of Al Anbar, Erbil and Dhi Qar. Together these 10 provinces will comprise 73 percent of the Iraqi population.
On both the local and the national levels, new Iraqi leaders are improving their capability to serve the needs of the citizens they represent. The transition from tyranny to democracy is definitely long and very difficult. The Iraqi people have suffered immensely. Even now, during what should be a time of prayer and reflection during Ramadan, enemies of Iraq are attempting to derail the government's efforts to serve and protect the people they represent.
Coalition forces continue to stand behind the government as it deals with tough decisions that lay ahead and with the Iraqi security forces as they continue to grow on both quality and quality. And with that, I'll be glad to take whatever questions you all may have.
Yes, sir?
Q (Name inaudible) -- from Iraqi News Agency. (Inaudible) -- the statement that has been made by General George Casey that support Prime Minister al-Maliki, (who has ?) appeared on this period, was one week before.
The second question. Since you have an operation against the death squads, have you found any foreign fighters within these death squads?
Third question, Fallujah. For one year it's under control, but now it is -- the situation there is difficult and there is some insurgency in there and there is some violence on Fallujah. And the people in Fallujah expecting the situation to explode. What is your comment on this?
GEN. CALDWELL: Okay, on the first one, just to make sure I'm correct in what the question was, you're asking me has General Casey put out a statement in support of Prime Minister Maliki?
Q Yes. He's made a statement supporting for Maliki government. What's the reason for this statement? And the usual, he's working together with the Iraq government to support Iraq. Why this statement has appeared on this week?
GEN. CALDWELL: General Casey put that statement out so that there was no question in anybody's mind exactly where he, as the commander of the Multinational Force in Iraq stands in terms of the support that the U.S. government and the coalition forces are providing to the prime minister. There had been some questions raised in the newspapers about some comments that were made by some other personnel, not himself, and he just wanted to be clear, unequivocable, and up-front with the Iraqi people and all the persons in the world exactly how the United States and the coalition forces stood behind the prime minister. So that was the reason for the statement, so that it was very clear and unequivocable how we feel and how we support the prime minister here in this country. He's the duly elected representative of the people and, therefore, has our complete and total confidence and trust, and we're behind him 110 percent.
As far as the second question goes in terms of death squads, have we found any foreign fighters, the targeted raids that we have conducted thus far, we actually -- if you just take last week, for example, we conducted over -- oh, about 35 -- over 35 different raids within the city that were very focused raids by forces that we use specifically to target al Qaeda in Iraq and death squads. And of those, we showed you on the map here, 13 specifically went after death squads. And when we go after those, normally we have very credible intelligence that is telling us what's at that location, specifically who we're trying to detain on that operation when it's being conducted. And in those cases, they've all been predominately from here in Iraq.
But we've also conducted raids against foreign fighters in the city, and in fact, have picked up some in the last two weeks within the city and out west in the Al Anbar province. So those kind of operations continue also.
As I told you during the statement, if you just look at last month alone, in the month of September, you know, during specific operations against al Qaeda in Iraq, we picked up over 520 suspected terrorists, and of those, we know unequivocally that there were 16 of them that were, in fact, foreign fighters. And again, that goes back to that whole discussion about how many foreign fighters are making their way into Iraq every month and where do they come from, that we've been through before. But be glad to discuss, too.
Q Not in Iraq, I'm just speaking about --
GEN. CALDWELL: In Baghdad.
Q No, not in Baghdad. I'm speaking about death squads, if there is any foreign fighters on the death squads? Not al Qaeda, I'm speaking on death squads.
GEN. CALDWELL: Of the death squad members we've gone after thus far, they've been focused after personnel from within Iraq itself. Although we've conducted the equivalent number, if not more, of operations specifically after al Qaeda members, of which we find the foreign fighters in that group, mostly. Doesn't mean that they're not also perpetuating and conducting death squad activities, but normally when there's targeting gone after, we're going after them through intelligence that's gleaned through the focus that we have just on the al Qaeda in Iraq network that we're working on.
I don't know if that's -- that's obviously not answering your question.
Q (Off mike) -- death squads. You said that -- (off mike).
GEN. CALDWELL: Yes, sir.
Q Yeah, the question about --
GEN. CALDWELL: Oh. On Fallujah your question was -- the operations are continuing out in Fallujah. I will tell you right now that I can provide you more specific data, but if you're asking what's happening day to day, I'll have to get that for you out there in the Fallujah area. But in fact, the operations are continuing to sustain. We're continuing to build the police force out there. In the last 10 months, that force has grown considerably. There's been a much greater control taken over by the provincial council out there -- or the city council in Fallujah than there was back in the February timeframe when the Marines first arrived. This unit that's there now, the commander, and took over.
Just this morning, we sat down, went through all the various projects from water, sewer and electricity that are now in fact in place and being implemented. Funds are being expended. As we say, dirt is being turned out there right now, specifically in those three areas. So there is in fact a lot of positive movement being made in the town of Fallujah.
As you look out west, if you took out crime in Fallujah, those are the two towns where in fact positive movement and quality of life is improving very steadily for the people in those two towns. So that's actually a good news story in that location there.
Yes, sir.
Q This is Paul Schemm, AFP. I was wondering if you could tell us a bit more about the 8th Brigade 2nd MP Division. Where were they operating? About how many people have just been taken offline? And to your knowledge, what are some of their activities that led to the decision for them to be taken offline?
GEN. CALDWELL: The government of Iraq had lost trust and confidence in the 8th Brigade 2nd National Police Division's ability to serve the public due to their poor performance and alleged criminal wrongdoings, and therefore, they have been pulled offline and will go through retraining before they'll be recertified and allowed to again conduct activities as police forces for the government of Iraq.
Q How many people --
GEN. CALDWELL: You know, I'll have to get you an exact number. I do not -- I don't have that exact number here. But I can get that for you. I'll be glad to do that.
Q Do you know where they were operating?
GEN. CALDWELL: In the city of Baghdad.
Q Do you know where in the city of Baghdad?
GEN. CALDWELL: I would have to -- I can get you the exact geographical boundaries. We don't -- I mean, we really don't mind showing you that, but it's clear in one of the areas where we have in fact seen levels of violence not have come down. And therefore --
Q Say, southwest Baghdad or --
GEN. CALDWELL: Up in the -- as I recall, it's generally the northwest area. Northwest, yes. But we'll be glad to get you the exact location where they were operating. That's --
Q General, and you think that the --
STAFF: Name and organization, please.
Q Sorry?
STAFF: Name and organization, please.
Q Oh. Mark Way (sp), CNN, sir. And you believe that the activities that the government led them to lose confidence in this unit -- those activities were what your -- active involvement in crimes you're talking about -- we're talking about death squad activity, that sort of thing?
GEN. CALDWELL: Mark, it is very clear that there was some possible complicity by those police forces, some members of it -- I'm not saying the entire force, but some members within it. Don't know what degree any of the leadership knew, but there is clear evidence that there was some complicity in allowing death squad elements to move freely when in fact they were supposed to have been impeding their movement, that perhaps they did not respond as rapidly when reports were made. And there are some other allegations that have been made. Some of them now, as we've gone through the investigation, found them to have some justification behind them, enough to the point that the determination was made that removing them from Baghdad will be in fact enhancing the overall security, not detracting from it, so that they can go through this retraining process, embedding process.
Q So this is actually addressing the institutionalization of some of the death squad activity? It's systematic and institutionalized in some regards, and this is addressing that?
GEN. CALDWELL: Well, it was very clear, when you went through the reports, that the police forces, the individuals -- again, we don't know what levels of complicity within the organization they are -- had not in fact put their full allegiance and commitment behind the government in Iraq and instead had maintained it to some other elements outside of the national police who were there to serve the people. And because of that, that force had to be pulled off line.
Q And following this particular brigade's retraining and Quick Look itself, there'll be individuals, like -- presumably who there's found to be evidence against and perhaps, you know, criminal or other prosecutions or investigations will begin against them.
GEN. CALDWELL: There are in fact some ongoing investigations that have already been initiated.
Q Then, there will be others from a class who have -- it's believed or it's proven -- had associations or dubious connections and now will be -- their service would be terminated.
GEN. CALDWELL: And that's correct. And the government of Iraq was very clear. As we go through this process, if that organization comes back out at 30 percent of what it went in with, that's okay with the government of Iraq.
Q My question is --
STAFF (?): Several people want to follow. One last follow --
Q I know. It was just -- it was just -- the point of it was that those who just get kicked out, you know, they just kicked -- (inaudible) -- what will happen to them? What does one expect would become of them? I mean, essentially they go from death squad in uniform to rogue death squad.
GEN. CALDWELL: Obviously, that's something I need to let the government of Iraq specifically address -- I mean, that kind of thing. Those are Iraqi citizens currently serving the government of Iraq. The recommendations, you know, through the investigations will be made, and the government of Iraq will make those decisions. But we have heard very firmly from them their commitment to police this organization up to bring it back to the standards so that it can regain the trust and confidence of the people of Iraq.
Yes, sir.
Q General, Tom Bowman with National Public Radio. A couple of quick follow-ups on that. How many investigations are going on with this unit? Any ballpark amount?
GEN. CALDWELL: At this point, that's something I'd need to really let the government of Iraq probably start addressing the specifics of their unit.
Q And how many are in this unit -- numbers?
GEN. CALDWELL: I'm going to get that number. In fact, if we can --
Q Hundreds? GEN. CALDWELL: Yes, there is.
Q Well, it's a battalion, right?
Q Yeah, it's a battalion.
GEN. CALDWELL: It's a full brigade. It's a full brigade.
Q So you're talking 3,000, 4,000?
GEN. CALDWELL: Oh, no, no, not that -- it's Iraqi police brigade.
Q Two?
GEN. CALDWELL: I'll ask somebody to see if they can't get that before you all leave here.
Q Okay.
GEN. CALDWELL: That's fairly -- I mean -- I should have probably had it with me when I walked in here.
Q Right. Okay. Getting back to numbers, I want to ask you about the army unit. This week the Iraqi army assumed control over the 4th Brigade of the 1st Iraqi Army Division, and if you talk to the officers within those units and the Marines out in Anbar, they're really a fraction of what they should be. Each brigade should be roughly 750, but I know two of the three battalions there have roughly 20-25 percent of what they should have. And I'm wondering, you keep saying that they're in the lead or taking over operational control. How can you say that when these units are clearly a shell of what they should be?
GEN. CALDWELL: As they go in and take the lead, the coalition force commanders that are associated with them, that had had the operational control over them, have the responsibility to determine based upon the size, the capability, the training of that organization what area they can take the lead in; how much area of responsibility they can in fact take responsibility for and operate within. The idea is to stand up the organization, to get the leadership functioning, to let them make them make their decisions, to be in -- getting in control of their own organization. But they may in fact begin the smaller area to operate in then what they may have had before, so that it's commensurate with the size of the organization that's currently available for duty on a daily basis.
Q One last point to follow up, please. But if you look at the turf they're taking over in Anbar, it's a pretty good-size area. That should be a battalion-size area, but they have a little over a company size in each battalion.
GEN. CALDWELL: I have not specifically looked at that. I can tell you, though, the guidance that is given out to the coalition forces commanders, that has been real clear from General Casey, that as they make those moves where the Iraqis go into the lead, that the area may, in fact, be much smaller than what they had previously operated in so that they in fact have the force size and structure necessary to conduct the operations that are required. But we'll go back and look at that just to make sure.
Yes, sir?
Q Bruno Roeber with ABC News. A couple questions, one going back to the issue of the investigation of police. Is this investigation the result of a city-wide evaluation of units' performance, or is it you just looked at one area and this one particular unit?
And also, can you talk a bit more about the uptick in U.S. casualties and to what extent they may bear on the Operation Together Forward activities?
GEN. CALDWELL: Okay. The result -- all 27 national police battalions went through a quick look during this past month of September. The results of those quick looks were assessed -- it was about a three-to-five-day process for each battalion -- and looked at. That was a major factor of input in determining whether or not organizations had the professionalism, the skills and the capabilities in terms of equipping and manning and all that to conduct operations in the city. There was obviously atmospherics, as we call it, that were utilized in talking with the people in the city where these police forces were operating, and then there's also other information that came forward that was utilized in the overall decision by the government of Iraq to pull that one brigade off-line. So.
As far as U.S. casualties goes, you know, this has been a hard week for U.S. forces over the last couple of days, and our absolute condolences and heartfelt feelings go out for those family members. We have lost 18 American servicemembers in about the last 96 hours. Obviously, we look at that very closely. That is not going to affect ongoing operations. Those will continue. But it has been an uptick, has been a -- you know, than what we normally experience in terms of coalition force casualties, specifically U.S. servicemembers. But also we're all looking at that and very much aware of it.
Q If I could follow up, is this related, the casualties related to the operation, or is it just a part of patrolling? I mean, can you be more specific about that?
GEN. CALDWELL: No, these are all part of the Operation Together Forward, almost all of them. Not all 18 were, but most were in association with Operation Together Forward. They did occur, as you know, during operations in the vicinity of or around the Baghdad area. But no, they were all part of ongoing operations when they did occur.
Yes, sir?
Q Dave Rising with the Associated Press. You had mentioned that this last week was the highest level of vehicle-borne IEDs in memory. Do you have any numbers, of the numbers that you discovered and also the numbers that went off last week? Also, there have been a lot of -- there's been increased violence we've seen in Baqubah recently, and we're hearing a lot of reports of an increased level of al Qaeda in Iraq operating there.
And I'm just wondering if you can discuss any possible countermeasures that the U.S. military is taking.
GEN. CALDWELL: In terms of VBIEDs, you're right. Since the first of this year, this is in fact the highest number that we've experienced. We don't normally talk in terms of numbers, mostly for just sheer operational reasons. We'll be glad to share numbers at a later date. But at this point in time, one of the things we don't want to do is put any coalition forces, Iraqi security forces or even civilians in harm's way by sharing with anybody who's putting these devices out and trying to inflict casualties -- to give them any indications as to how effective, ineffective, how many we've been able to find and clear, because then that tells them exactly what they need to adjust in their tactics.
Most of those are very sensational in nature. They're done to -- inflicting casualties specifically on the Iraqi civilians. I mean, as I was walking in here, we had a report of another one in the Karrada peninsula area someplace over there in the east side of the river, down in the southeast side of the city, you know, perhaps, again, with a, you know, number of civilians both killed and injured.
So those are specifically targeted against civilians. We get very concerned about those and have taken some very deliberate steps to specifically target the makers themselves who are producing those vehicle IEDs. So there's an ongoing effort against that.
Q Just, sir -- I'm sorry. Just to clarify, this is the largest number since the start of the year or since -- in -- well, forever?
GEN. CALDWELL: I'd have to go back and check it over the last two years. I mean, I've got very good statistical data I can draw from since the beginning of the year. But from what we can see, the trend line has been up over the last couple of months and has not been a downward trend in terms of the number of vehicle IEDs we're seeing. You know, the trending is what we watch very closely. That gives us indications as to how we need to adjust and modify our tactics, techniques, procedures, things that we're doing.
And so vehicle IEDs does have our attention, is something we're very concerned about, because it is such a sensational thing, and it's done against mostly innocent Iraqi civilians. And your second question? Can I ask you that again?
Q Sure. The second part of the question was Baqubah. There's been a lot of reports of violence there recently, and also we're hearing that there's an increased level of al Qaeda in Iraq operating in that area. And I just wondered if you could talk about the violence there and the possible countermeasures that are being planned.
GEN. CALDWELL: Your assessment is exactly correct, and there are in fact ongoing planned and current operations being conducted. But I really should not discuss any further than that. But your assessment is exactly on.
Yes, sir?
Q Christian Carl (sp), Newsweek. General, I wanted to ask -- I understand that an American -- I apologize if this has been covered at earlier briefings. But I understand that an American soldier was killed a few weeks ago in Baghdad by a sniper using very, I guess, sophisticated equipment.
I don't -- I haven't been able to verify that. But I would be curious to hear whether you see your troops facing an increased threat from snipers in the Baghdad area?
Thank you.
GEN. CALDWELL: Obviously, that's something we always stay very vigilant about. We take extreme precautions against that and we watch it very closely. It's always a real threat, no matter where you go, any kind of combat operation you're going to be on, you're always looking for IEDs, you're looking for VBIEDs, you're looking for snipers. I mean, there's certain things, you know, other than direct face-on-face that you're using against an opposing force that you're constantly vigilant for and looking for. And that's something, obviously, we continue to look at very closely.
Q But do you see any increased threat from snipers in Baghdad?
GEN. CALDWELL: I would not talk about that, for operational reasons.
Yes, sir?
Q (Name inaudible) -- Japanese Broadcasting, NHK. As a completion part of Operation Together Forward, when do Multinational Forces start their operations in Sadr City?
GEN. CALDWELL: The Iraqi security forces, with coalition forces in support, will conduct operations there whenever the prime minister so dictates. Operation Together Forward is an Iraqi-led plan, coordinated and executed. We're here in support of them. And so, as you know, we have conducted patrolling through Sadr City. Both Iraqi security forces and coalition forces, as recently as a week ago conducted patrols through Sadr City. But again, that's -- whenever the prime minister so dictates. There's a constant revaluation done of the entire plan on a weekly basis at the Ministerial Committee for National Security, and they have a discussion there, and then everybody gets their guidance and direction really right from the prime minister as they -- when they walk out of that meeting as to what he wants done.
Yes, sir? Q (Through interpreter.) Moufid Hamid (ph) from Sumariyah TV. First, I want to oppose to the time of the press conference.
Second question, there was a change in the uniforms of -- (word inaudible) -- brigade. Does this mean that you will change every uniform in every Iraq police units?
GEN. CALDWELL: Sir, if I could, the question about the time --
INTERPRETER: The first question about the time of the press conference, he's opposed to the time.
Q (Through interpreter.) It is an inappropriate time because it is winter daylight savings time, so it is not appropriate for us. Can you proceed the time for one hour, please, for 14:00 instead of 15:00 to hold the press conference?
GEN. CALDWELL: If you wouldn't mind, sir, right afterwards, could I ask you to stay and talk to Colonel Johnson here? We'll be glad to entertain that question. I did not realize there was a concern. We'd very much like to talk with you about it, see what that is.
And then, as far as your second question goes about the uniform, the government of Iraq's intent that they have stated is this new uniform will be issued to the national police, and the members of the national police brigades will get it once they complete their transformational training.
They'll be issued to the members of that brigade that graduate from and complete that training and go back on out into the field or back into the country to serve the people of Iraq. Those are who will receive the new uniforms. So it's just for the national police right now, and it'll be issued to just for those who complete -- that complete -- go through the entire transformational training process and graduate from that and they're going back out to service, police in the country here.
Yes, sir.
Q Jim Price, Knight Ridder. Real quickly, the look-over that the 27 police brigades got -- who did that? The quick check that they got that resulted in --
GEN. CALDWELL: Who did that?
Q Yeah. Who examined the --
GEN. CALDWELL: Coalition forces went through, and there was altogether 27 battalions that were done during the month of September. Iraqi counterparts were with us during that process, but primarily been through General Peterson's folks going out there and doing those inspections. Took about three days, sometimes a day or two longer, but it was a basic three-day program of evaluation.
Q And this was a direct result of that?
GEN. CALDWELL: A large portion of it was. But there was also enough other credible information that probably had we never conducted the inspection that they would have probably surfaced anyway, too. I mean, information was coming up from various sources that led everybody to look very closely at that one particular brigade.
Q And on a different topic. I trickled in kind of late, so I apologize if you've handled this previously, but the agreement that the prime minister and others announced early this week combatting sectarian violence seemed pretty short on specifics. Is there anything about this plan that should give us confidence that it will have any effect?
GEN. CALDWELL: I'll tell you, Jim, the greatest thing about this plan is the fact that once again, we see the prime minister taking the initiative with the different religious sects, the different key political parties trying to address the very issue of sectarian violence here that's existing within specifically the city of Baghdad.
He has not laid out all the specifics of that plan. We have the four points. We know they're going to set up their joint committees, their central committees. We know they're going to have their committee that's going to look at media reporting, and then there's going to be the monthly meetings to evaluate the overall performance.
The most positive step of this, though, is the fact that we have the government of Iraq standing up on their own, recognizing that it's something they want to take on, that the prime minister was able to bring all the key political parties together, and in unison together, they made this announcement as one, unified front. And then when you take and you add on to that the recent announcements by some very senior Sunni and Shi'ite religious leaders that they want to have this conference within the next week down in Mecca and talked again about the sectarian violence and how to reduce that here in Iraq, and then you look at the prime minister's four major reconciliation conferences -- his third one will be held here, they just announced, on the 21st of this month, between political parties -- I mean, these are all very positive steps because ultimately the armed forces, the coalition forces and Iraqi security forces, all we can do is set the conditions for a political solution.
It's ultimately going to be a political solution that's going to bring back peace and security to this country, not armed force. And so the fact that they're making these strides forward and they're making those efforts and they're bringing the people together, having the dialogue is the first step in making those things happen.
So we're very encouraged seeing that occur. If you have listened to the American ambassador's comments the other day about this, he said this is the most positive and most excited he has been in terms of walking out of a meeting feeling like, listening to them talk, that something really could definitively happen. He saw some real sense of urgency, a sense of commitment, he said, between those political parties after they had met with the prime minister and when he dialogued with them.
Yes, sir?
Q (John ?) with Fox. Any reason to share the national security adviser's optimism on being close to capturing al-Masri? He released a statement just last week saying essentially they seem to be pretty close to the guy.
GEN. CALDWELL: I'd love to tell you we're going to get him tonight, but I -- you know, obviously that's a very key, critical target for all of us operating here in Iraq, and we continue to pursue that. The fact that we picked up two very close associates of his this month, in the month of September, one, you know, just as late as the 28th. We're obviously gleaning some key critical information from those individuals and others that have been picked up and detained that are going through the interrogation process. You know, we feel very comfortable that we're continuing to move forward very deliberately in an effort to find him and kill or capture him.
Q Is that video the first time that -- certainly that we've seen him, but was that an important piece of -- that video that shows Masri, was that fairly important, significant?
GEN. CALDWELL: I think the real significance of that video, it clearly demonstrates that Masri -- intent is to kill and injure innocent Iraqi civilians. I mean, he's not here. He's an outsider that's come into this country. He's advocating violence as the means to achieve his end, not through any kind of peaceful solution. And he has absolutely total disregard for human life by the fact that he would sit there inside of a truck showing you how to make a major explosive device out of this thing that literally will be used to just kill and injure lots of innocent Iraqi civilians who just are trying to live their life with some peace and security.
So in terms of that issue, it clearly shows what kind of person he is, the intent, and what he's trying to achieve here in Iraq, which is not a unified country, not for the people of Iraq, not to give them peace and security, but what he really has is an ulterior motive. I think that's probably what it shows.
The significance towards capturing him, I think the fact that his face has been so very visibly displayed on TV cameras will, in fact, probably be very much of assistance, as sort of like back in the United States on the most wanted TV shows. People all the time will see someone and turn in tips. I mean, there's already been one little flurry of activity since that video came out from some reporting that turned out not to be accurate that we thought perhaps we had located him.
STAFF: All right. Two more questions.
GEN. CALDWELL: Yes, sir.
Q Just one more on the 8th Brigade, if I could. You said they were operating in northwest Baghdad. Who's moved into the breach? Is it another national police unit? Is it U.S. forces? Who's taking over for them?
GEN. CALDWELL: That decision was just made late last night, and I was amazed that it wasn't made after a long period of time of discussions, but rather based on the final evaluation of information. I'll have to get that for you.
Q But they're gone. They've been pulled off.
GEN. CALDWELL: They're being pulled off as we speak. The order was given last night for them to assemble this morning, and they're being moved to a training location north of Baghdad, where they're going to be assembled and go through accountability of all their personnel, equipment and everything else, and then start the retraining process.
STAFF: Last question.
GEN. CALDWELL: Yes, sir.
Q Larry Kaplow with Cox Newspapers. Sorry if you covered this at the beginning. On the retraining for the brigade, does it include lie detector and extra vetting and criminal background checks? Maybe you covered that.
GEN. CALDWELL: No, we didn't, but the answer to all that is the intent is yes. There are, in fact -- they're going to be doing criminal background checks. They will be looking at a lot of those kinds of aspects, Larry. And I know as late as this morning discussions with the government of Iraq were still ongoing as to other vetting processes that will be utilized by them during this month.
Okay, thank you very much.
END.
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