11 April 2003
Myers Asks Iraqis to Stop at Coalition Checkpoints
(Rumsfeld says achieving freedom is "untidy") (600) By Jacquelyn S. Porth Washington File Security Affairs Writer Washington -- Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Richard Myers is calling on the Iraqi people to "please stop at our checkpoints" in order to ensure their safety in the midst of an insecure environment and sporadic combat operations across Iraq. "We do not wish to harm innocent people," the general said April 11 after Marines fired on a van with black-tinted windows that failed to heed all warnings at a marked checkpoint in the city of Nasiriyah. Two Iraqi children were killed and nine adults were wounded in the incident. U.S. military medical personnel treated the wounded. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, who briefed reporters at the Pentagon alongside Myers, noted that Iraq remains dangerous, and considerable work needs to be done to create a safe and secure environment. The secretary said the transition from a repressive dictatorial regime to a state of freedom is "untidy." Rumsfeld said coalition forces are trying to provide security. "When they see looting, they are stopping it," he said. Myers reminded journalists that Iraq is now transitioning gradually out of a state of war and expressed hope for a much more peaceful phase ahead. Rumsfeld said television news replays of the same clip of events "over and over" cause a distortion of reality. Myers said key leadership targets continue to be struck when opportunities arise. A key list of 55 senior regime leaders being sought by the coalition is being circulated throughout Iraq. (It may be viewed on the Web at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2003/030411-D-6570C-001.pdf). Rumsfeld said that in areas where conflict is subsiding, coalition forces are working with international organizations and other nations to deliver food, water, medicine and other necessities. "We must get humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people who need it," Meyers said. Rumsfeld said British forces had done "a fantastic job" in making Um Qasr habitable, allowing the population to swell from 15,000 to 40,000. The secretary attributed this to the availability of food, water, medicine and jobs. Rumsfeld said that the defense minister of Singapore, Tony Tan, told him during an April 11 meeting at the Pentagon that Singapore is ready to send medical units and other assistance to Iraq to help speed its recovery. Rumsfeld also said it has been important for people around the world, especially in the Arab world, to see the live video transmission of images of "thousands of cheering Iraqis, celebrating and embracing coalition forces." The images show Iraqis waving American flags and thanking U.S. soldiers as they celebrate their newfound freedom. "I think it's important that that message be seen," he said, "for America is a friend of Arab people. And now, finally, Arab people are hearing the same message, not from U.S. officials, but from their fellow Arabs, the liberated people of Iraq," Rumsfeld said. The secretary also said work is underway to restore Iraqi radio and TV broadcasting because free information is critical to establishing a free society. Rumsfeld said there is a long list of tasks to accomplish in Iraq and he pledged to do them all over time. Myers described one of the items on the list as finding and eliminating Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. But Rumsfeld also said, "You can't do everything instantaneously." Rumsfeld was asked about Syria's response to his earlier warning not to help the Iraqi regime. He indicated that Syria was still showing an unhelpful attitude by allowing Iraqis to slip across its borders. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
