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COALITION JOINT TASK FORCE - SEVEN

NEWS RELEASE

DSN 318.438.2289/COM 99.001.468.2289

May 19, 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:

BAGHDAD

Fifth Corps conducted its second Task Force Neighborhood mission in one of the poorest Shiite neighborhoods in the city:

• Hired 50 Iraqi workers to help clean-up efforts.
• Hauled 360 tons of trash and garbage, including a destroyed truck and car.
• Army doctors treated two civilian injuries while dentists treated 20 patients.
• Explosive Ordnance personnel cleared unexploded munitions and removed enough weapons and ordnance to fill a 20-ton dump truck.
• Army Engineers cleared a police station of debris.  They also fabricated and erected a  basketball goal, two soccer nets and repaired a volleyball court.  Additionally, they built six picnic tables with benches and trash receptacles.

Other Developments in Baghdad:

• Ninety-six of 100 fuel stations are now open, an increase of 40 from last week.
• About 75 percent of the city's benzene requirements are being filled at gas stations, diminishing waiting lines significantly.
• Coalition Forces delivered 1,200 million liters of water yesterday, which is 75 percent of pre-war levels. 
• Coalition Forces assisted in delivering 550 megawatts of power yesterday, the highest level since before the war. 
• All major hospitals, water distribution facilities, and sewer treatment facilities currently receive 100 percent of their electrical needs.
• Civil Affairs personnel are working with local authorities to remove an estimated 300,000 cubic meters of trash.  So far, authorities removed 75,000 cubic meters from city streets.  A contract was awarded to remove vehicle hulks, which begins today.
• Post offices are open and delivering mail throughout the city.
• Third Infantry Division soldiers removed more than 1,000 truckloads of ammunition, explosives and weapons from Baghdad.  

TIKRIT

Coalition Forces assisted locals in filling craters under railroad tracks outside Camp Speicher to restore train movement. They continue to conduct medical treatment programs in the Iraqi community outside the city.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

The First Marine Division recently received $350,000 in seized Iraqi funds.  They distributed the funds for use in civil affairs projects to benefit the Iraqi people.

AL BASRAH

First United Kingdom Division representatives met with Iraqi officials yesterday to determine requirements in order to reopen a consolidated trash collection point.  This will greatly enhance health and safety in the area.

AL AMARAH

Coalition Forces escorted seven truckloads of vegetable oil to a World Food Program storage area yesterday.

Security and stability provided by Coalition Forces have enabled the non-governmental organization, International Medical Community, to be based in Al Amarah.  They will start health projects soon.

AD DIWANIYAH

The Governance Support Team (GST) met with 75 school supervisors from the Al Qadisiyah Governate and discussed teacher salaries, travel pay for supervisors, and school security, as well as school supplies and remodeling. 

Civil Affairs officials continued construction on the confinement facility, the police station, including waterlines for bathrooms and kitchen, the courthouse, and also continued repairs at the Biariq Al Nasur School. 

AN NAJAF

Marines facilitated the delivery of more than one million liters of fuel, equivalent to 31 trucks, to sustain the city's electric generating station. 

AL KUT

Most of the city's public services are restored to acceptable pre-war levels.  The local electrical power system is currently at its pre-war level; however, the Marines are working with local officials to repair equipment to restore electrical service at 100 percent. 

The people of the Wasit Governate are receiving medical care, food, water and their children are attending school.  Iraqi police are patrolling the streets, as well as detaining and prosecuting criminals.  The water supply is safe and has returned to pre-war levels.  Staffing at area health facilities is adequate, and improvements will be significant once electrical power is restored to its pre-war level.  Schools are safe and open with teachers and other staff in place. 

Coalition Forces completed decking repairs to Al Muwaffagiyah Bridge.

AN NASARIYAH

An Nasiriyah judges and lawyers are returning to work after setting up a temporary court in the building which houses the Judge's chambers.

The local Marine commander drafted a proclamation to help effectively communicate many rules of law issues.  This helps local public administrators maintain order in lieu of authority that once was provided by the former regime government.  Meanwhile, the city council is taking more initiative in providing direction to the municipalities.

AL HILLAH

Coalition Civil Affairs personnel assessed schools in Najaf, Karbala and Al Kut.  They continued plumbing, electrical and wall repairs at Jassan School, and the Gharbia and Karama Primary Schools.

Coalition Forces in Al Hillah are working with Office of Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) Mine Action Programs officials to finalize their plan for removing mines from three sites in Al Hillah.  

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