NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS 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 23, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-82
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION EFFORTS AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY (23 MAY)
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
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 on a two-hour on/four-hour 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 coming days.
. Postal authorities in the greater Baghdad area began more mail deliveries yesterday.
. 4,689 tons of ammunition was hauled out of Baghdad to date (87.41 tons of ammunition in 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 the 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 it should be able to restart the Kirkuk LPG Processing Plant, a potential source of 1,045 tons/day.
. Coalition Forces are assisting ORHA in conducting judicial assessments of Iraq's major courthouses and judicial systems (Mosul, Baghdad, Hillah and Basrah) later this week.
. V Corps is working to identify local vendors to manufacture hydraulic hoses and rebuild cylinders for Caterpillar Corp.
. 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) identified six well locations in Northern Iraq for discretionary fund contracting by a local well digger. This will improve remote access to potable water supplies. They also completed clearing Iraqi aircraft wreckage from Baghdad International Airport.
. 3d Infantry Division supported the upload of World Food Program supplies in preparations for distribution, distributed sundry packs to orphanage and retirement centers, and paid teachers in their Baghdad sector. They also coordinated distribution of school furniture located in a warehouse to local schools, continue garbage clean-up throughout their zone of operations and are working to repair guardrails along HWY 8.
. 18th Military Police Brigade supported ORHA Pension payments to Civil Airway Workers at Baghdad International Airport and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Ambassador Bremer at a newly opened jail.
MOSUL
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) revisited the site of yesterday's "Task Force Neighborhood" mission and reported-
. Continued trash-hauling operations in the city, which has resulted in visible improvements
. Payment to the Public Works Manager of Al Salmi, who arranges city-wide 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 reported they-
. 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
The 4th Marine Regiment reported 20 fuel trucks in 6 cities of the province have been downloaded. The Mussayib power plant is back on-line, slowly generating increased electric power and transmitting it to consumers.
AS SAMAWAH
The 5th Marine Regiment facilitated the Ministry of Health's acquisition of diesel fuel for area hospitals. The U.S. Navy Seabees began assessing the water situation in the city and will work to enhance the availability of potable water once it is complete.
AN NASARIYAH
The 25th Marine Corps Regiment reported payments of 150,000 dinars to the An Nasiriyah Police to purchase food for prisoners in the jail. They also conducted a meeting with the governate's Health Directorate to develop a list of health issues in preparation for a national meeting at the Ministry of Health in Baghdad. They also paid a $20 ORHA stipend to civil servants.
AD DIWANIYAH
The 5th Marine Corps Regiment reported their efforts to hire security guards who will provide an increased Iraqi role in law enforcement. They also assisted Governance Support Team personnel in conducting the first coordination and integration meeting with representatives from ORHA, USAID and the Bechtel Corp. to familiarize them with the current situation and progress of all functional areas in the city. They completed the $20-ORHA stipend payment to teachers (more than 360 million dinars).
AN NAJAF
The 7th Marine Regiment reported the start of a Marine-facilitated contract to deliver diesel fuel from the Al Hillah fuel distribution center to the electric power plant. They also 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
The 23d Marine Regiment reported the graduation of the first Iraqi Police Leadership Class (10 Officers) at the Traffic Police Station, and the purchase and installation of two water tanks for the Al Zi Hour pre-school by Civil Affairs representatives.
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