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COALITION JOINT TASK FORCE - SEVEN

NEWS RELEASE

DSN 318.438.2289/COM 99.001.468.2289

May 11, 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

· Conducted traffic control points with the local police at the industrial area of Al Iskandariyah, and seized 10 semi-trucks/trailers that had been used to aid in looting.

·  Conducted police training that focused on weapons handling, restraining techniques, and search techniques. 

· Coordinated the stipend payment to the police and electric power departments.

· Maternity and Children's Hospital enjoys a robust business of caring for women and children's health issues.  The hospital's average daily census is 130 patients, including bassinets, and 300 outpatient visits each day.

AS SAMAWAH

• Began a 2-day police-training program for new members of the As Samawah Police department. The training enables the new police to act as security guards at sites throughout city.
• Both hospitals at their pre-war status with 2 operational ambulances.
• Aswearing in ceremony was conducted for three interim judges and they were presented with letters of appointment. 

AD DIWANIYAH

· Conducted 14 joint Iraqi-Marine police patrols and manned 8 joint static security positions.  The city hired over 400 new traffic and security police.  The police department is becoming very professional in its investigating procedures.

· The jail opened with joint Iraqi-Marine security with the intent to phase out the Marines entirely. 

· Expect 24-hour electric power service in Karbala will be restored in as little as 2 weeks.

AN NAJAF

• Another police academy class began with 130 students attending. 
• Successful police trainees were paid a bonus after completing the first 48-hour training block.
• Marines continued to educate the populace about the dangers of UXOs. 
• School improvement projects continue to have a strong and visible community impact. 
• Met with the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Lawyers and established a timeline for the selection of Judges. 

KARBALA

• All the banks in Karbala opened yesterday for the first time since the war ended. 
• Second train-the-trainer course with local police began May 10 with Marines observing and critiquing the Iraqi police officers who graduated from the course last week.
• Joint patrols with the Karbala Police Force (KPF), the Karbala Protective Department (KPD), and Marines received good reviews from commanders. 
• Marines coordinated the stipend payment to fire department personnel.  The electric department began repair work on the power lines that directly supply Karbala.  Medical personnel are working with Iraqi health officials to finish the estimate of funds needed to correct the city's water sanitation problems. 

AL KUT

• The Court is functioning, the entire staff is at work and they are prosecuting criminals.  All Court employees have been paid this month.

AL BASRAH

• Telephone exchange buildings are being refurbished, the telephone network is improving daily, and an extra 4000 telephone lines will be laid next week under a quick impact project.

EPW

• 75 more EPWs were released in the last 24 hours. 3,793 have been paroled to date. 

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