Release # 03-05-107

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

BAGHDAD

Coalition Civil Affairs officials:

• Met with the Ministry of Industry and Minerals to review the status of the 52 state-owned enterprises (SOE). The review included the extent of production output, timetable for production, electricity update, raw material status, and revenue trends

• Conducted the first meeting of the Ministry of Culture interim cabinet to discuss the possible resumption of archeological expeditions into Iraq beginning by September, a concert by the Baghdad Symphony Orchestra, and salaries to the Ministry's employees

• Attended a meeting with Coalition Provisional Authority officials and Iraqi police to discuss prioritizing work and awarding contracts for building jails, detention centers and prisons.

· Met with the deans of the University of Dyala to assess security, transportation requirements, and rebuilding of dormitories.

NORTHERN IRAQ

IRBIL / MOSUL / TIKRIT

Coalition Civil Affairs officials:

• Met with Ministry of Agriculture, ORHA, World Food Organization, and World Bank officials in Irbil to discuss agricultural issues and the overall business situation in northern Iraq.

• Facilitated World Food Program delivery of 141 truckloads (over 3,000 metric tons) of food to the cities of Dohuk, Mosul, Irbil, and Sulaymaniah. An additional 122 truckloads were delivered to the cities of Babil, Diyala, and Sulaymaniah.

• Worked with Iraqi officials in Mosul to set up guidelines for taxi operations.

• Assisted U.S. Army engineers to determine how to repair the electrical power system in Mosul.

• Worked with the deputy commander, 101stAir Assault Division, to form a committee with the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade, Oil, and the Central Bank to manage and support the wheat harvest in northern Iraq. One of the tasks is to acquire 2,500 harvesters along with fuel and oil to run them. A large crop of over 1 million tons, is anticipated this year. The harvest in 2002 was 720,000 tons.

• Received an additional 12,000 metric tons of wheat from the World Food Program, resulting in a total of 26,000 metric tons, which is enough for the June distribution without using grain in storage

• Met with representatives of the Federation of Iraqi Industries, which represents about 1200 industries in the Nineveh Province (including construction food, textile, electrical, chemical and other industries), to discuss the chamber's role in the reconstruction effort

• Attended the local Ministry of Information meeting in Tikrit to discuss efforts to get the telephone system working again.

· Received 116 benzene and 25 propane trucks from Turkey and distributed 89,903 liters of benzene and 14,930 propane canisters

· Reported that UNESCO signed a 1 million dollar grant to supply 5 million math and science books to the region.

· Conducted the third "Task Force Neighborhood" mission (101st Airborne Assault) in Mosul/ Makhmur that cleared 40 truckloads of debris and trash.

FALLUJAH

• Coalition forces are coordinating possible donors of medicine or suppliesto for the Jordanian Field Hospital, which has treated more than 32,000 patients.

BAQUBAH

• Coalition engineers are developing plans to repair and improve local agricultural irrigation systems that were damaged during combat operations.

SAMARRA

• Coalition medical personnel assessed two local health clinics, one for asthma and allergies and the other for tuberculosis and other chest disorders, to develop plan for upgrades to infrastructure and medical supplies.

• Together with Army engineers and Navy Seabees evaluated construction and repair requirements at several schools. They also began rewiring and installation of lighting in a school.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

AL KUT

• Civil Affairs personnel met with the director of the Primary Health Care Department to assess and discuss insecticide spraying, communicable disease surveillance, vaccine supplies, and distribution of UNICEF supplied food.

AN NAJAF

• Marine Corps Civil Affairs personnel coordinated for final election registration, and security and operations for 20 polling sites.

AS SAMAWAH

• Coalition Civil Affairs personnel reported the Governate Council appointed six additional judges, three each for As Samawah and Ar Rumaythah

• Coalition Civil Affairs personnel presented $1,000 to the Sanitation Department to pay for required vehicle maintenance and tools

• Coalition Civil Affairs personnel granted $1,250 to the As Samawah medical department for 150 oxygen cylinders. They were delivered to the Al Muthana hospitals

AL HILLAH

Coalition forces recently:

• Confirmed delivery of six truckloads of medicine from the Komalia distribution center in Baghdad.

• Met with the director of the Sewer Department to discuss sewer system construction improvements.

• Participated in a Coalition Provisional Authority chaired meeting with the Hillah Union of Lawyers to discuss the failures of the old regime's judicial system their vision for a new one.

KARBALA Marine Civil Affairs personnel presented $10,000 to the Iraqi Ministry of Health for the Al Husayn Emergency Room rehabilitation project, and presented $1,500 to the Pediatric Hospital for the purchase of two refrigerators and two water coolers.

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