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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 29, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-108


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.

CENTRAL REGION:

BAGHDAD:

Coalition Forces:
. Report that Baghdad recently received 1,150 megawatts of electrical power, which is about 57% of the required demand, and the largest amount of power since before commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
. Conducted another "Task Force Neighborhood" mission that did clean-up and repair work in Baghdad neighborhoods. They also helped hospital employees clean up medical waste.
. Report that water production is now at about 70% of it's pre-war capability, with daily increases in production linked to increased electrical production.
. Report that repairs are being made to the 26 broken sewer lines in the city.
. Report that yesterday was the first day railroads were used for mail delivery from Baghdad to Mosul.
. Continue with engineering assessments to municipal headquarters buildings, and all schools, fire stations and police stations in the city.
. Are coordinating the efforts of different military units to discuss synchronizing emergency responses to water and sewer line breakages.

AS SAMAWAH:

Coalition Forces:
. Recently donated audio-visual equipment such as VCRs, DVD players and cameras to the local TV station.
. Recently donated $5,000 to the Electrical Department for repairs and parts.
. Report that three additional judges were nominated from the local bar. In Rumaythah, one judge was retained and two new judges were appointed. All six will be appointed at the same ceremony in the Samawah courtroom. Funding for court repairs has been obtained, with work to begin once security is in place.
. Met with local banking officials to discuss methods of paying civil servants, which should begin in the next 5-10 days.

AL BASRAH:

Coalition Forces:
. Report that electrical power is more stable and should improve now that metal foundries that were being used by people in the process of stealing copper out of electrical lines have been closed.
. Report that general clean up of the city is going well. Recent operations by Coalition forces have given the local citizens a boost in getting their neighborhoods cleaned up.
. Helped officiate at an opening ceremony for a school that benefited from quick impact project money.

AN NASIRIYAH

. Coalition Forces report that the World Food Program, in concert with the Canadian Salvation Army, has reopened the food warehouse complex. The complex has been receiving 40 to 60 trucks of food a day and the commodities have been safely stored. The grain complex has been receiving 20 trucks of grain per day.

AL KUT

Coalition Forces:
. Report that the courthouse in Al Kut tried fifteen cases, the first since Operation Iraqi Freedom began.
. Met with a contractor to discuss courthouse restoration.
. Met with the accountant and judges of the local court to discuss pay issues.
. Report that local banks are open and functioning normally.

AN NAJAF

Coalition Forces:
. Report that the Criminal Court opened yesterday and held probable cause hearings for numerous suspects.
. Met with the election committee recently to discuss polling locations and counting procedures. The Governance Support Teams met with local tribal and religious leaders to discuss election issues.

KARBALA

Coalition Forces:
. Recently worked with the Karbala Police Department to conduct a sweep of the city to combat the illegal arms trade. They arrested several people and seized several AK-47 rifles.
. Helped begin refurbishing the jail facilities, which will include adding electricity to the building, improving the water and sewage capabilities and improving the locks on the cell doors.
. Recently informed the City Council that Karbala citizens will no longer need to pay for ration cards to receive supplies under the World Food Program. The former regime made local citizens pay up to 25 Dinars for cards, based on the size of their family.

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