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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 14, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-47


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:

KARBALA

The 1st Marine Division's Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment continued its joint patrols within the city with the Karbala Police Department (KPD) and Protection Force (KPF).

Civil Affairs personnel graduated another class of Iraqi police from their training program. They resumed manning three joint traffic control points.

AD DINWANIYAH

Marines from the Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment made considerable progress with local security. The police force grows stronger with nearly 700 now employed. They hired police administrators and identification branch personnel. They also increased the police force's confidence by conducting joint patrols and protecting fixed sites with them. The police force will soon be solely responsible for the city's security. It is these advances which support the plan to turn over all security requirements in the city to the local police.

Marines met with the Director of Education, Dr. Hamood, to discuss payroll, restructuring school curriculum, and preventing the looting of refurbished schools.

AS SAMAWAH

Marines from Second Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment completed the first two-day security training program and graduated 60 trainees, who will serve as security guards at sites throughout the city.

The first trial under As Samawah's new legal system began yesterday.

United Nations World Food Program representatives arrived to discuss the food situation in As Samawah and Ar Rumaythah with First Marine Division leadership. They expect to deliver food stocks on May 25 and complete distribution by June 1.

The First Marine Division received ORHA funds to pay the $20 monthly stipend to civilian workers. The Division also obtained 1.5 billion dinars when a damaged bank vault was finally opened. The Marines secured, distributed and audited the funds.

Marines conducted the first day of a two-day training package for the local police department. Fifty new recruits attended the training along with 10 current traffic police.

AL KUT

The First Marine Expeditionary Force's Task Force Tarawa Civil Affairs personnel met with teachers concerning salaries and propane distribution.

Fourth Light Armor Reconnaissance Marines continue to work on the Jassan school project with Navy Construction Battalion (SeaBee) engineers.

The commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team One (RCT-1) visited 3d Battalion, 23d Marines. RCT-1 sent a team to Al Hayy to investigate reports of a school being taken over by the Iraqi National Congress.

A Marine team set in place to observe a suspected location of Iraqi extremists found two damaged rocket propelled grenades and more than 25 mortar rounds.

Civil Affairs personnel distributed 2,000 propane tanks and assisted the local police by registering 51 new police officers.

Civil Affairs personnel met with school officials to discuss teacher's pay.

AN NAJAF

Navy Construction Battalion (SeaBees) continued repairs at Al Iman Al Hussein School and Al Hadi schools. The Seabees will replace 50 meters of pipe in the sewage treatment plant to improve the filtering process efficiency. Engineers reported that repairs to the sewage plant could increase the amount of sewage the plant can process and also raise the quality of the treatment.

AN NASIRIYAH

A team from the U.S. Army's 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion met with Dr. Hydar Ali, Communicable Disease Director to discuss a plan to spray the Nasiriyah area for sand fly prevention. Tallil Airfield Preventative Medicine soldiers inspected equipment and chemicals on hand at the Nasiriyah Department of Communicable Diseases and determined that the equipment is operational.