PRESS CONFERENCE: Rear Adm. Smith, MNF-I; and Dr. al-Dabbagh, GOI: Feb. 13, 2008
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, director of MNF-I's Communication Division, and Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh, Government of Iraq spokesman, provide an operational update, Feb. 13.
Rear Adm. Smith's Opening Remarks
RDML SMITH: Good afternoon. As-Salāmu `Alaykum.
It is a pleasure to be joined today by my good friend, Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh, spokesman of the Government of Iraq.
Tomorrow, formal responsibility for the command of Multi-National Corps – Iraq will transition from Lieutenant General Odierno and the Three Corps headquarters to Lieutenant General Austin and the 18th Airborne Corps.
This transition marks the end of an extraordinary period of service and sacrifice by the men and women of Three Corps team. Their leadership, teamwork, and toughness underpinned the broad improvements that have been achieved in recent months. Their ability to operationalize a new strategy and intensify the focus on population security has led to new confidence by the Iraqi people.
Most importantly, the sacrifice of their soldiers and families have created a new opportunity for Iraq. We have quite simply been honored to serve with them. We wish them a safe redeployment and a joyful reunion with their families and friends who anxiously await their return. God bless the men and women of the Phantom Corps.
We always want to welcome the 18th Airborne Corp back, commanded by Lieutenant General Austin. And I’m certain that his team will take on the fight left behind by Three Corps.
There are just a couple of operational updates to cover and then I will refer back to Dr. al-Dabbagh.
On Sunday, Iraqi and coalition forces detained a hospital administrator in connection with the possible exploitation of mentally impaired women by al-Qaeda.
On February 1st, two women were used to deliver a backpack filled with explosives and a suicide vest into the crowded pet markets in Baghdad.
As part of the investigation into these tragic events, last Sunday, Iraqi and coalition forces detained the acting administrator of the al-Rashad Psychiatric Hospital of Baghdad at his office and conducted a thorough search of the facility. The administrator remains in coalition force detention and is being questioned to determine what role, if any, he may have played in supplying al-Qaeda with information regarding patients at the al-Rashad Psychiatric Hospital or from other medical facilities in Baghdad.
Because this is an ongoing investigation, I’m not at liberty to discuss any more details on this particular incident but will provide more information as it becomes available.
As we have said repeatedly, although al-Qaeda has been disrupted by the collective efforts of the Iraqi and coalition security forces and the citizens of Iraq, the terrorists still constitute a deadly threat to the people of Iraq by murdering innocent civilians and the destruction of essential services and infrastructure. From Operation Phantom Phoenix’s inception in early January through February 8th of this year, Iraqi and coalition forces have conducted 32 battalion-level operations, detained 1,825 terrorists and killed 241 others, destroyed 933 stockpiles of munitions, and found and cleared over 900 improvised explosive devices.
Some specific highlights worth noting:
Last Friday, coalition force soldiers, acting on a tip from a member of the citizen volunteer group, seized a stockpile of explosively- formed penetrators—the most deadly form of improvised explosive devices—in the town of Jurf Nadaf, southeast of Baghdad.
The information provided by this volunteer led soldiers to recover 13 explosively-formed penetrators along with 37 blocks of C-4 explosive and other munitions. On Saturday, February 8th, an alert Iraqi police force member became suspicious of a sedan traveling near Fallujah with a male driver and two female passengers. A vigilant member of the Iraqi provincial security force noticed that the driver had a bulge in the chest area. The guard alerted his colleagues and backed away from…as the driver exited the vehicle, detonating a suicide vest. One of the female passengers then immediately detonated her suicide vest that she was wearing.
The explosion killed all three occupants of the car and three members of the Iraqi provincial security force, injuring three others. These tactics—the brutal indifference to innocent life, the use of suicide vests as tools of mass murder, and the use of women to attempt to gain entrance into places where mass carnage could ensue—are attempts by al-Qaeda and other extremist elements to sow instability here in Iraq.
At the same time that coalition and Iraqi forces are pressing the offensive and Iraqi citizens are increasingly rejecting extremism, former coalition detainees are being given an opportunity to return to Iraqi society after completing education, training, and screening; after swearing oaths of loyalty to Iraq; and after receiving thorough preparation for reintegration. Just yesterday, a ceremony was held to mark the reintegration of 300 such detainees. So far this year, 1,617 individuals have been released after having an opportunity to participate in basic education courses, vocational training, and family advocacy programs.
In 2000[sic] alone, nearly 9,000 detainees were released through this program. Yesterday’s ceremony was attended by Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Nohad al-Jibouri. He was there to sign an agreement that certifies the curriculum used to guide the education program provided to detainees working toward their release.
He also announced that the Government of Iraq has opened an educational center to give detainees greater access to these educational opportunities which include courses in Arabic, English, and mathematics. More than 750 detainees who were previously illiterate have already enrolled at this center.
These new steps help to ensure that Iraqis who rejoin society are better equipped to find work, support their families, and keep their pledges to their country. And with that bit of positive news, I will turn to my good friend, Dr. al-Dabbagh.
Dr. al-Dabbagh's Opening Remarks:
DR AL-DABBAGH: Thank you Officer[sic] Smith. Continues speaking in Arabic.
INT: The political talks among the sides are ongoing so that we can reach an agreement about a political consensus that includes all the political parts in Iraq. And we make sure that all political parties include in the political reforment[sic]. And we hope that all should go to and away or head to building the services through the new ministerial formation that includes ministers who are really qualified and it’s away from any sectarian quota. And this will lead Iraq and…lead Iraq to be a year…a country of reconstruction in 2008. And this is a responsibility for everyone. And there are some good signs and encouraging signs that are still just an intention and still we haven’t seen any real, effective and tangible steps. And the Iraqi government is still open to all suggestions for everyone. The efforts are still ongoing to include or integrate the Awakening Groups to the Iraqi security forces and also to rehabilitate them through training and also to other vocational jobs so that they could take care of their families. And the Iraqi government will take care of the Awakening Groups because they are the sons of Iraq and will provide also some mini grants…micro grants to those people so that they can start a new life and there could be some…have an effective role to…in Iraq. And there will also be an exhibition in Baghdad that will be inaugurated in al-Rashid Hospital…Hotel. And over 260 banks and companies will be…will take part in this exhibition. And we expect the visitors to be really good because the Government of Iraq supports such exhibitions that promotes the trade in Iraq. There are some certain decisions that have been decided on the Council of Ministers about allowing the graduated students from the ministry of…from the Colleges of Medicine of granting the…granting them the certificates because the former regime preventing granting them any certificates. But now the students can get their certificates and the Ministry of Higher Education will also issue some resolutions so that all the students from the College of Medicine and Dentistry could get their certificates. We also approved to spend…give the disbursement of…giving money to the graduates from the Ministry of Communication. And also giving…and also so that we can guarantee those people come to Iraq after receiving courses in Britain. And the Iraqi government contributed to the displacement. And the Iraqi government thinks that providing the minimum standards…living standards to those displacements so that those people can go back to their homes and families. And as you know, this is the best thing that could be done because all the other options are actually temporary. The best thing that we could do is to bring back all the displacements. And last week we brought back several families in al-Amil[ph] neighborhood. And the efforts are still ongoing to bring more families in other places in Baghdad. Now we will take the questions.
RDML SMITH: Please. First question, please. All the way in the back there.
REP1: As-Salāmu `Alaykum. Asks question in Arabic.
INT: Question from Al-Huriya TV. Dr. Ali Dabbagh, at the time that the provinces in Baghdad witnessed a security development, we can see that and…there is a tension in Diyala because of the police…the Diyala police chief there. And then in Anbar we have a problem of the emir of Dulane[ph] who threatened to withdraw all the Awakenings in case they haven’t been given any chance to pursue al-Qaeda themselves.
DR AL-DABBAGH: Speaks in Arabic.
INT: The Iraqi government and the institutes…the security institutes and the legal ones, are the ones to solve the disputes. It’s not really right to cause some problems or ask the resignation of a certain person due to some personal disputes between both…two sides. The minister of interior is investigating this and is investigating the case of the Diyala police chief and will take the appropriate procedures that will serve the stability in Diyala. As for the statements made by Ali al-Zlayman[ph], I think the security issue is a really important one. And the statements…and such statements does not serve the people in Anbar and does not serve the political process. And we should say that everyone should resort to the law and the effort exerted by al-Zahaway[ph] is a good one but we hope that this effort shouldn’t be reduced because the achievement that the Awakenings…Awakening Groups did is something appreciated by the Iraqi government and we hope that they resort to the law and the Iraqi government so we can treat everyone in a good way.
REP2: Asks question in Arabic.
INT: Dr. Ali, I have two questions. First, how would you describe the disputes inside the Parliament regarding the passage of some laws or bills like the budget bill? And also you announced that the negotiations with the United States will start…the long-term negotiations. What’s the speculations and what’s your view about these long-term agreements?
DR. AL-DABBAGH: Speaks in Arabic.
INT: The disputes among the Parliament members is just a reflection…I can’t say of the no confidence but the…there is less confidence among the political sides. Everyone knows that there is a need for political reformation. And we hope that the Parliament is a reflection for the Iraqi people’s desire which is the passage of all the bills inside the Parliament. And we hope that there won’t be any really serious disputes that will hinder the process of the passage of the bills. The negotiations with the United States; we still haven’t set a date for that. Of course there are some points that the Iraqi government will take into consideration because Iraq seeks to build some really good relationships with the Americans. And the current relationship between the United States and the Multi-National Forces and Iraq is actually a relationship imposed on Iraq because Iraq lost the war. And that’s why Iraq has been imposed by resolutions by the Security Council. And Iraq now is gaining back its sovereignty. Iraq wanted to be removed from the 7th Chapter from the United Nations so that it will enter some negotiations as a country that has full sovereignty so that it can maintain the best interests of the…of his people. We don’t want Iraq to be a source or a starting point to any attack to any other countries. And we don’t want any kind of military bases, long-term military bases in Iraq in addition to many other detailed things that needs much more sessions of negotiations so that we can reach to the best interests…to something that serves the best interests of both the United States and America…and Iraq.
REP3: Asks question in Arabic.
INT: The Awakenings in Tikrit are demanding the government to support them so that they can achieve their work. When…who do you think is behind burning the Iraqi Central Bank? And why do you think the Sadr Trend is boycotting the Iraqi ministerial reshuffling now?
DR AL-DABBAGH: Speaks in Arabic.
INT: The Iraqi government supports all the Awakening Groups whether they were in Tikrit, Salah ad Din, Diyala, Anbar or even in Mosul. According to the potentials that the Government of Iraq views so that the security issue could be under the responsibility of the Iraqi forces. This is the policy of the Iraqi government with the Awakenings. We think that the Iraqi forces cannot perform the security services in the hot zones without the support from those people including the Awakenings and the members in the Awakenings. And the Iraqi government appreciates and evaluates the efforts of those brave Iraqis to support the government. And also…and of course, now in Mosul you will see that there will be a role for those Awakenings. As for the Central Bank and the fire, the investigation still haven’t been presented to the Council of Ministers. It’s still ongoing because we’re still investigating with some members. And we cannot make any statements about the…this fire unless the investigation is over which is being conducted by the Ministry of Interior. The Sadr Trend is part of the political process and it’s up to him to take part or boycott the political process so that the…this is up to the…or the stance is up to the Sadr Trend. We hope that all the political process, of course, as I said, it’s up to the polit…the Sadr Trend.
REP4: Asks question in Arabic.
INT: Question from al-Watan Channel. Question to Admiral Smith. Will the American forces have…will the American forces have a role in settling the disputes between the Awakenings and the Iraqi government? To solve the disputes between the Iraqi government and the Awakenings, do you have any role? The second question is to Dr. Ali al-Dabbagh. Could you give us an idea about how would you resolve the budget issue for 2008? And what’s the basis that…on what basis will you solve it?
RDML SMITH: Let me take your first question. There’s been a partnership from the very beginning between the coalition, Iraqi security forces, and the Awakening Movement. And that is a strong partnership that still exists in Diyala today. As discussions are ongoing between our representation there in the area with our commanders, the Awakening members themselves, and certainly the government officials that are sitting down to discuss their differences. As Dr. al-Dabbagh mentioned, this is a discussion of some concerns they have that will be dealt with, hopefully through dialog. And so far they have. And so, yes, we are participating in that process as a full member in working this through to a peaceful and a negotiated resolution. But ultimately, decisions about personnel and individuals are Government of Iraq decisions, not the coalition.
DR AL-DABBAGH: Speaks in Arabic.
INT: The budget issue…the budget in all the countries, it’s not easy to be passed. But in Iraq, as you know, it took a much longer time than expected and it took some really long discussions. And we hope that it will end today or tomorrow…I mean the passage of the budget because it’s really important for the Iraqi. And we can’t start any kind of project before even passing the budget bill. But as you know, there is a political problem in Iraq because there is a problem of trust or confidence among the Parliament members. And this was reflected on the budget bill. And these were all technical problems. And because, you know, the Parliament members have a right to make some amendments to it. But now these amendments have been…technical amendments are over. We’re now heading to the different viewpoints of the political sides. And we hope that this is over as well and the articles of the budget bill should be agreed. And now it’s the discussion amongst Parliament members so that they could pass the budget. And we hope this could happen today or tomorrow.
RDML SMITH: Second one—over there.
REP5: Gina Chon; Wall Street Journal. Dr. Ali, I know you mentioned this at the beginning but could you expand upon the update on the government’s talks with Tawafuq and the filling of the minister positions. Is there disappointment that this still hasn’t been resolved? I know you’ve discussed this issue before and the sort of problems that are still coming up. Because it seemed like a deal was somewhat closed but there is still some ongoing issues that are preventing the rejoining of the government. And then my second question—Admiral Smith, you might also want to address this—in terms of talks between U.S. and Iran and also Ahmadinejad’s visit, if there is any update on dates for either of those. And with Ahmadinejad perhaps coming, who he would exactly see and talk to and if that would include anyone from the U.S. side. Thank you.
DR AL-DABBAGH: Speaks in Arabic.
INT: Discussions with the Iraqi…with Tawafuq is still ongoing. We still haven’t reached any kind of agreement so that they could go back. They did say that they have the desire to go back to the government. And the government encourages and welcomes the return of the Tawafuq to the ministerial formation. But there should be some clear foundations to the government and to the Tawafuq itself. There are some certain important points presented by the government and points important presented by the Tawafuq so that they could be an effective to the government…so that they will all be an effective part in the government and not a resistance in the future. And the vision…or the shared vision…many of the…or many of the steps or the points that the Tawafuq said. And I think the government is still welcoming the proposals by the Tawafuq and we welcome. And we hope that these negotiations will not last for long because the Iraqi govern…people want a ministerial formation which is better than this one. And we hope that this will meet the needs of the Iraqi people.
RDML SMITH: Just briefly, the discussions between Iraq, Iran, and the U.S. will be…and the timing of that are Iraqi decisions to be made and to be announced so no particular information to provide on that score. And of course, on the visit of the president of Iran, that’s also a decision that will be announced in discussion by Iraq as opposed to the U.S. And I think in the first row…there. Yes, sir. Go ahead.
REP6: [unintelligible] from Times of London. What’s the latest on the kidnapping of the British journalist and his Iraqi translator? And also, how hopeful are you that the promise of the Sadrists in Basra this morning that he will be released within hours is true?
RDML SMITH: We don’t have any updates on the status of the individuals that were believed to be kidnapped down in Basra. And we are very hopeful, of course, that that will be resolved, as all would, in the coming days if not hours. But no update for you this afternoon.
REP7: Martin Francis; Fox News. Regarding the Justice and Accountability Law and the return of mid-level Ba’athists to the system here. How important do you believe that to be? And…
UNIDENTIFIED: [unintelligible]
REP7: Oh. How important do you believe that to be, the return of mid-level Ba’athists in the Justice and Accountability Law? And we’ve spoken to a few of them and they fear for their security and safety if they do return. What provisions do you have in place?
UNIDENTIFIED: Could you repeat that?
REP7: The Ba’athists?
UNIDENTIFIED: No, the second one.
REP7: Do you…what provisions do you have in place for their safety if they do return?
DR AL-DABBAGH: Speaks in Arabic.
INT: In terms[?] about the Accountability and Justice, it was passed and it will be implemented. And we think that this law is really…is a just one for everyone. And it’s different from the de-Ba’athification because it takes all the Ba’athists innocent on lists…or unless there…it’s been proven that they committed something. Unless…which is different from the de-Ba’athification one. This law is a good development and we know that it maintains the rights of everyone. And Iraq should maintain all the…take the precautions so that the Ba’ath Party will not return. Because the return of the Ba’ath Party is not acceptable. And it’s constitutionally unacceptable. And we cannot accept the Ba’ath Party would return. But the return of some of the members for some different reasons is acceptable according to the Accountability and Justice Law because we believe that it supports the…and contributes to the national reconciliation. As for the second question, I think it’s about the security situation for the Ba’athists? Yes, we expect and everyone expects that al-Qaeda and the armed groups would try to…will try in all their efforts to attack any place that they think it harms the Iraqis. And recently…the recent attacks is really a proof for that because the…those people targeted the markets and innocent peoples. And they used all the inhumane methods of using women and children. And the terrorists operations are still…now are being used. And this proves that we are facing an enemy. And this is another point to be added to the list…to the blacklist of those people.
REP8: Ahmed Jassem. Asks question in Arabic.
INT: Question from Al-Arabiya Newspaper. Dr. Ali Dabbagh, a few days ago, you approved to allocate money to the displacement outside the country. Can you bring back the displaced families to these homes instead of just giving them money? Because you know the displaced people are really suffer from…are in agony.
DR AL-DABBAGH: Speaks in Arabic.
INT: I said that the best thing that the Iraqi government could do is to bring back those people—and that’s the best option that we could do—to their homes. All those things are—giving monies and allocations and funds—are just temporary ones and they don’t solve the problem. The best thing that we can do, that the government is actually trying to do, is to bring back all the displaced families. And that’s the best thing to solve the security. Yes, we know that there are some difficulties and we are facing those difficulties in a really good way. Last week we witnessed the return of some of the displaced people in different places in Baghdad, and we hope that these efforts will also be supported by all the levels in the society. But the major responsibility is over the Iraqi government. And the Iraqi government is taking this seriously so that the displaced families…because…and you know the displacement is one of the major issues in Baghdad. And it causes some security problems and social problems as well. So the Iraqi government is trying and working hard to bring back all those families fast.
RDML SMITH: Thank you.
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