24 April 2003
Marines Work to Bring "Requirements of Life" to Iraqis, Commander Says
(Hailston says security, stability, economic growth will foster recovery) (670) By Jacquelyn S. Porth Washington File Security Affairs Writer Washington -- Combat operations are now all but over in Iraq, but a key Marine Corps commander says his forces are continuing their efforts to give the Iraqi people "the requirements of life," such as humanitarian assistance and security. Briefing reporters at the Pentagon April 24 via videoconference from his office in Bahrain, Marine Lieutenant General Earl Hailston said the forces under his command "have been trying to put some stability into this country" in order to restore "a little normalcy." This effort began almost immediately after U.S. forces crossed into Iraq, he said, when soldiers began handing out the extra humanitarian rations they specifically transported in with them for needy Iraqis. Hailston, who commands the 72,000 Marines assigned to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in support of both "Operation Iraqi Freedom," and "Operating Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan, said the Marine priorities in Iraq include turning the electrical power back on and bringing water to those in need. He said his Marines have been working "as hard and fast" as possible to promote the flow of water. Hailston also said Marines have been providing security in Baghdad and a variety of other cities, working in conjunction with local police to promote conditions needed to inspire the confidence of local populations. Hailston said Marines are spread out now through eastern and southern Iraq. Marines from the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion are currently in northeastern Iraq conducting border-screening patrol missions, he said. An April 23 CENTCOM press release reported that the Marines are searching and interviewing anyone attempting to cross Iraq's border with Iran and are prepared to detain officials of the former Iraqi regime as well as potential insurgents. The Marines are also ready to seize weapons, large amounts of money, or cultural artifacts being smuggled across the border. Hailston said the Marines are supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces on the Iran-Iraq border, contributing to a level of stability there. As the overall coalition military operation in Iraq gradually moves into the Phase Four stabilization effort, Hailston said "We are working hand-in-hand with the police force to come back in and establish that part of the triumvirate that you need to have -- security, stability and economic growth -- for a nation to prosper." As this process continues over the long-term, Hailston said, it will be important for Iraq to be able to defend itself. Future plans including helping Iraq build up this capability, he said. Asked about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Hailston said that although coalition forces have found Iraqi WMD protective gear, he thinks the Iraqis did not use WMD against coalition forces for a variety of reasons. He speculated that the Iraqis may have listened carefully to the messages circulated by the coalition warning against such use. He also suggested that coalition forces swept across the country so fast that Iraqi military leaders who would have authorized WMD use did not have sufficient time to think and react. Just because Iraqi WMD has not been located does not mean it does not exist, Hailston said. There are still hundreds of potential WMD sites to be explored by mobile inspection teams, he said. In response to a question, Hailston said some of the new-found freedom of expression being made manifest in the form of large public demonstrations reflects the "first taste of democracy" for the Iraqis. Insufficient media attention has been paid to Iraqi expressions of gratitude that also are evident, he said. Hailston said he will always remember the image of a bent old man slowly pushing a wheel chair down an Iraqi street with an equally aged woman. When a noisy military vehicle passed by, coalition forces got an enthusiastic "thumbs up" signal from the couple and the woman blew kisses to the soldiers who had helped to free them from political repression. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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