10 May 2003
Coalition Efforts to Make Iraq Safer, More Secure Continue
(U.S. Central Command also reports on shootings, MEK May 10) (1060) U.S. Marines continue to train Iraqis as police and U.S. military police continue to operate combined police patrols in several cities as part of coalition military efforts to make Iraq safer and more secure, according to a statement by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) May 10. In another statement May 10, CENTCOM listed several shooting incidents aimed at coalition forces. No coalition injuries resulted from the incidents, according to the statement. In a separate statement also released May 10, CENTCOM said the Iranian group Mujahedin E-Khalq (MEK), which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State, has agreed to consolidate its forces and to accept control by the U.S. V Corps. The process is expected to take several days, according to the statement. The texts of all three releases follow: (begin text) HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND MacDill AFB, Fla. May 10, 2003 Release Number: 03-05-36 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 personnel 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 a profile fictitious general. As part of the training event, the scenario involved the general 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 May 9. -- An Nasiriyah --- Marines assessed two grain storage silos. One silo contains 6 1/2 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 I MEF [First Marine Expeditionary Force] area and using it to feed the Iraqi people. This not only provides food, but also stimulates the local economy. Civil affairs troops initiated an 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 training 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. -- Currently, there are 1,736 enemy prisoners of war detained by the Coalition. To date 3,789 Iraqis have been paroled. End text. Begin text: HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND MacDill AFB, Fla. May 10, 2003 Release Number: 03-05-35 COALITION FORCES PROVIDE SECURITY, STABILITY CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition forces continue to actively patrol Iraq to make it safe for humanitarian assistance operations. Recent incidents highlight the dangerous nature of their work: -- An unknown individual fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment squad headquarters near Al Fallujah Friday evening. The grenade missed the headquarters and landed in a nearby residential area. There were no known civilian or U.S. casualties. -- An unknown sniper fired on U.S. soldiers who were conducting a sweep of several bunkers in the vicinity of the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance headquarters in Baghdad late Friday afternoon. The soldiers did not return fire because they were unable to positively identify the position of the shooter. No injuries were reported. -- Looters attempted to steal ammunition from a cache in Baghdad late Friday afternoon. Soldiers from the Third Infantry Division fired on the looters after they demonstrated hostile intent. One looter was killed and two were injured. No soldiers were injured. -- A lone shooter fired a rifle at U.S. Army military policemen conducting an escort mission in Baghdad Friday morning. The shooter was not identified, and no injuries were reported. Despite the danger, Coalition forces remain dedicated to providing a secure and stable environment throughout Iraq so that infrastructure repair and humanitarian aid can continue. End text. Begin text: HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND MacDill AFB, Fla. May 10, 2003 Release Number: 03-05-37 MEK CONSOLIDATING UNDER COALITION CONTROL COBRA BASE, IRAQ -- V Corps has accepted the voluntary consolidation of the Mujahedin-E-Khalq's (MEK) forces, and subsequent control over those forces. This process is expected to take several days to complete. When finally accomplished, the peaceful resolution of this process between the MEK and the Coalition will significantly contribute to the Coalition's mission to set the conditions that will establish a safe and secure environment for the people of Iraq. Previously, V Corps was monitoring a cease-fire brokered between the MEK and Special Forces elements. The MEK forces have been abiding by the terms of this agreement and are cooperating with Coalition soldiers. While we are confident that the process will proceed smoothly, we are conducting this operation in a deliberate manner to minimize the possibility of misunderstandings or renewed violence. Groups displaying hostile intent or refusing to cooperate with the authority of the Coalition will be subjected to the full weight of Coalition military power. Groups are encouraged to adhere to this warning and submit to the authority of the Coalition immediately. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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