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COALITION JOINT TASK FORCE - SEVEN

NEWS RELEASE

DSN 318.438.2289/COM 99.001.468.2289

May 10, 2003

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 developments:

· Al Hillah - Marines are training the new local police force at a stadium in Al Hillah. About 50 Iraqis were trained Thursday. The first police academy class graduated Thursday. Marine forces conducted a meeting with the governor, police chief, and security manager to discuss hiring an additional 600 personnel to assume permanent security responsibilities at schools, civil and public workstations, the electrical plant and hospitals.

· Karbala - Marine forces and civil affairs conducted the final day of training for a specially selected police cadre. As a "real world" practical exercise, trainees were combined with the Marine/Karbala police task force that arrested Gen. Shakir Abdul Ameer. As part of the training event, the scenario involved Ameer staging a riot against the governor of Karbala at city hall. A television announcement will be broadcast encouraging Iraqis to bring weapons to designated areas to turn them in.

· Ad Diwaniyah - Military police conducted 24-hour combined patrols with Iraqi policemen. Another 200 police officers are expected to be hired. The broadcast discussed security, food distribution, utilities, and education issues in the province. Navy engineers continue electrical, plumbing and general construction at three local schools.

· As Samawah - Marine forces completed the interior clean up and ground maintenance of the As Samawah Technical College. Marines destroyed five captured enemy munitions sites yesterday.

· An Nasiriyah - Marines assessed two grain storage silos. One silo contains six and half tons of mixed grain and the other contains 600 metric tons of wheat. Grain silos have been operating safety equipment to prevent explosions. ORHA is buying grain throughout the IMEF area and using it to feed the Iraqi people. This not only provides food, but also stimulates the local economy. Civil Affairs troops initiated Adopt-A-School program and received pay rosters for teachers at the university.

· Al Basrah - U.K forces have plans in place to arm the Basrah auxiliary police force. The training is being carried out with weapon stripping and assembly, as well as practice at the Shaibah airfield.

· An Najaf - Navy engineers continued repairs to Al Iman Al Hussein School, the city jail and the police academy. Civil Affairs troops coordinated the payment of 22,000 civil workers. Marine and Navy personnel delivered 60 refurbished desks to a local school.

· 3,789 Iraqis have been paroled to date.  Currently, there are 1,736 enemy prisoners of war detained by the Coalition.

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