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May 10, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONGOING HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS STIMULATE SOUTHERN IRAQ

AL HILLAH (BABYLON), Iraq - The First Marine Expeditionary Force continues to coordinate with more than 30 relief organizations to provide water, food, shelter, public health and utilities, communication, law and order, public transportation and education to the southern Iraq population.

            The First Marine Expeditionary Force and its U.K., Spanish and Korean coalition partners total nearly 85,000 troops and are responsible for nine governances in southern Iraq.  The force oversees the major cities of Al Basrah, An Nasiriyah, Al Kut, An Najaf, Karbala, Al Hillah, Ad Diwaniyah, Al Amarah, and As Samawa and a population of more than seven million people.

            Many initiatives are conducted by the Marine force and complement larger humanitarian projects introduced by relief agencies such as United Nations High Commission on Refugees, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.  The information below reflects the type of humanitarian enterprises that have occurred in the past 24 hours within each city:

            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.

To coordinate for coverage of any of these ongoing events contact Lieutenant Al Eskalis or Captain David Romley at 00881676326826 or email eskalisag@imefdf.usmc.mil or romleydt@imefdf.usmc.mil.

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