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NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

May 8, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-24


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


COALITION EFFORTS AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait - Coalition forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq. Among recent activities:

. In An Najaf, Marine civil affairs personnel coordinated the payment of all 1,100 police force employees and issued them identification cards.

. Marines have instituted a joint school rehabilitation project. Local citizens are hired to clean up each site while Marines and U.S. Navy Construction Battalion "Seabees" repair broken structures and fixtures.

. Marines implemented a citywide clean-up project in Karbala by hiring local civilians to pick up trash. Additionally, many citizens are beginning to remove trash on their own initiative. Throughout the city there is a noticeable reduction in litter and trash along the streets. An explosive ordnance team attached to the Marines destroyed unexploded ordnance (UXO) and arms caches in five separate sites yesterday.

. In As Samawah, Marines began an effort to recruit and retain a professional police force by initiating training of 41 new policemen. Marine explosive ordnance personnel have also destroyed all reported UXO and arms caches discovered so far in the area.

. Marines in Ad Diwaniyah continue to build confidence of the police force and are increasing their capabilities to enforce the rule of law. The Iraqi police conducted 12 joint mobile and seven static patrols with the Marines yesterday and together detained several looters and criminals. Additionally, Marine engineers began the renovation of a local jail/detention facility. Marines are also entering into an agreement with the World Food Program to provide security for food shipments that will be stored in the city.

. First Marine Expeditionary Force Marines in Al Kut and An Numaniyah conducted Medical Civil Action Program activities to aid residents of Badrah and Jassan.

. In Al Basrah, a reverse osmosis water production plant was opened in the palace complex and has proven to be very successful.

. Civil affairs teams distributed 2,500 Kuwaiti-donated meals to the town of A'waja.

. Dredging in the channels near the port of Umm Qasar started last week. Although the port can now handle smaller logistics ships, continued dredging should allow much larger roll-on roll-off ferries by the end of June.

. In Ad Diwaniyah, joint Iraqi-Marine police patrols were reinstated. Construction and contracting support is being provided for the police station and city jail. Arrangements are being made to install 2 phone lines to facilitate the reconstruction of the area's emergency "911" system. An assessment in the city revealed that classes are being conducted in 140 to 160 schools.

. In Al Rutbah, Coalition personnel accompanied Greek Orthodox Church and Convoy of Hope personnel to distribute aid in the town. The Greek Orthodox Church delivered 10 tons of food, clothing and medical supplies. Convoy of Hope delivered hospital beds and equipment for use in the new Al Rutbah hospital.

. In Karbala, civil affairs personnel provided assistance to the Iraqi electrical department in repairing two downed electric towers. The delivery of 5,000 liters of gasoline to the police department storage tanker and the payment of 880 police officers' salaries have been coordinated. The delivery of 4,000 liters of benzene and 6,000 liters of diesel fuel to the fire department's storage tankers has also been coordinated.

. Civil-Military Operations Center personnel travelled to a proposed demolition site with a Mines Advisory Group local field office. Two different mine/UXO storage sites and one mine/UXO demolition site were visited. Minefield locations are being provided to the UN for inclusion into their minefield database. Minefields have been clearly marked in accordance with UN standards.

. Another 127 Iraqi soldiers captured during Operation Iraqi Freedom were released after accepting parole, bringing the total to 3,781 paroled to date. Additionally, 3,554 have been released after determining they were noncombatants. Currently, approximately 2,081 enemy prisoners of war are being detained by the Coalition.