Release # 03-05-79

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait - Coalition Forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq. Among recent developments:

BAGHDAD

V Corps reported:

· Electrical power generation was at its highest level nationally as well as in Baghdad, and distribution in the city was relatively stable and on a two-hour on/four off schedule. In the last 24 hours, they added to stability and additional distribution opportunities by completing repairs on several transmission lines. These repairs will add an anticipated 300 MW of power to the Baghdad grid in the coming days.

· Postal authorities the greater Baghdad area began mail deliveries yesterday.

· 4,689 tons of ammunition was hauled out of the Baghdad to date (87.41 tons of ammunitionin the last 24 hours), and 11 of 24 ammo sites have been consolidated.

· 24 tanker loads (662, 445 liters) of Benzene from Kuwait and 45 trucks (1,245,396 liters) from Turkey were delivered to Iraq over the past 24 hours. Five trucks (100 tons) of Liquid Propane Gas were delivered from Turkey to Iraq for immediate distribution. The 3d Infantry Division alone escorted 21 fuel trucks throughout zone and facilitated the delivery of 35,000 bottles of propane.

· Task Force Rio personnel restarted oil operations at the Bayji and Daura refineries, and anticipates itshould be able to restart the Kirkuk LPG Processing Plant, a potential source if 1,045 tons/day.

· Coalition forces are assisting ORHA in to conduct judicial assessments of Iraq's major courthouses and judicial systems (Mosul, Baghdad, Hillah And Basrah), beginning late this week.

· V Corps is working with to identify local vendors to manufacture hydraulic hoses and rebuild cylinders for Caterpillar Corp.

· 101stAirborne Assault Division: identified six well locations in Northern Iraq for discretionary fund contracting by a local well digger, which will improve remote access to potable water supplies, and completed clearing Iraqi aircraft wreckage from Baghdad International Airport.

· 3d Infantry Division: supported the upload of World Food Program supplies in preparations for distribution; paid teachers in their Baghdad sector, coordinates distribution of school furniture located a warehouse to local schools;continues garbage clean up throughout their zone of operations; works to repair guardrails along HWY 8; and distributed sundry packs to orphanage and retirement centers.

· 18th Military Police Brigade: supported ORHA Pension payments to Civil Airway Workers at Baghdad International Airport, and; held ribbon cutting ceremony with Ambassador Bremer at newly opened jail.

MOSUL

101st Airborne (Air Assault) Divisionrevisited site of yesterday's "Task Force Neighborhood" mission, and reported:

· Continued trash-hauling operations in the city, which has resulted in visible improvements, and; payment to the Public Works Manager of Al Salmi, who arranges citywide trash removal.

· Identification and clearing of 111 pieces of unexploded ordnance by Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel.

· Acquisition of standard construction materials for future work projects

101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) also recently:

· Received 42 benzene trucks from Turkey for distribution to government and private facilities. Additionally, they delivered 3,055 bottles of propane and 91,000 liters of benzene to private and public locations.

· Completed payments of $141,860 to the workers of Military Industries and Ministry of Health.

· Brokered a harvest agreement in Al Zumar that will allow landowners and farmers an equal share of profits, a significant step towards the return to normalcy in western Iraq

· Conducted a meeting with the civil leadership of Qayyarah/Makhmur, and continued to deliver Coalition-supplied medical supplies to Makhmur.

· Hosted a conference among local leaders from Qayyarah and Makhmur. The Makhmur Mayor-elect led the discussion that proved to be an excellent forum for locals to discuss community problems and lay the groundwork for their solutions.

· Evacuated two local children, who were injured in separate incidents, to local hospitals, and continued the distribution of medical supplies to clinics in zone.

UMM QASR

The port of Umm Qasr, a primary port of entry and export, will open for commercial traffic today, which will significantly increase the future capabilities of the port to accept humanitarian assistance deliveries.

AL HILLAH

4th Marine Regimentreported: 20 fuel trucks in 6 cities of the province have been downloaded; the Mussayib power plant has come back on line and is slowly generating increased electric power and transmitting it to consumers, and; completion of a meeting with the Governor and tribal leaders to stimulate recruitment efforts for the local police force.

AS SAMAWAH

5th Marine Regimentfacilitated the Ministry of Health's acquisition of diesel fuel for area hospitals, and; U.S. Navy Seabees began the assessment of the water situation in the city and will work to enhance the availability of potable water once the assessment is complete.

AN NASARIYAH

25th Marine Corps Regimentreported: payments of 150,000 dinars to the An Nasiriyah Police to purchase food for prisoners in the jail; completion of a meeting with the governate's Health Directorate to develop a list of health issues and concerns of the governate, in preparation for a national meeting at the Ministry of Health in Baghdad; payment of the $20 ORHA stipend to civil servants.

AD DIWANIYAH

5th Marine Corps Regimentreported: effort to hire security guards that will provide increased Iraqi role in law enforcement; assisted Governance Support Team personnel in conducting the first coordination and integration meeting with representatives from ORHA, USAID and the Bechtel Corp. to familiarize these agencies with the current situation and progress of all functional areas in the city; completed the $20 ORHA stipend payment to the teachers (more than 360 million dinars were paid to teachers).

AN NAJAF

7th Marine Regimentreported: start of Marine-facilitated contract to deliver diesel fuel from the Al Hillah fuel distribution center to the electric power plant; facilitated and observed the election of the new interim school superintendent, and; wrote a contract to grant $500 to each of the 180 schools in An Najaf for improvements.

AL KUT

23rd Marine Regimentreported: graduation of the first Iraqi Police Leadership Class (10 Officers) at the Traffic Police Station, and; purchase and installation of 2 water tanks for the Al Zi Hour pre-school by Civil Affairs representatives.