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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

April 29, 2003
Release Number: 03-04-209


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT UNDERWAY IN IRAQ

AL HILLAH, Iraq -- Various military units, federal agencies, non-governmental and volunteer organizations are descending upon major areas of southern Iraq in a far-reaching humanitarian and reconstruction effort.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force currently oversees the entire southern region of Iraq.

Three major commands are performing the grassroots civil affairs work within the force's nine governates -1st Marine Division, Task Force Tarawa and 1st United Kingdom Armoured Division.

The 1st Marine Division is assessing the infrastructure of An Najaf and Karbala. Approximately 70 percent of An Najaf has water, 33 percent of the city has electrical power and two hospitals are now functional. The division is doing similar assessments in Karbala as well.

The 1st United Kingdom Armoured Division is evaluating areas near the major city of Basrah, which has 80 percent of its water system working. The British division is also cleaning grain silos in Al Amarah in preparation for the upcoming grain season.

Task Force Tarawa, home-based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., is now reviewing major areas including An Nasariyah and Al Kut. Electric power has been restored to 80 percent of An Nasariyah. Civil Affairs teams from the U.S. Army and Marine Corps and a head Iraqi engineer from Al Kut recently traveled to Baghdad to coordinate repairs of the Baghdad outer loop power supply, which will provide power to Al Kut and surrounding areas.

Maj. Katherine O. Womble of the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade, an Army Reserve unit from Norristown, Pa. working on the reconstruction process with I MEF, said they had to overcome some challenges in locating adequate equipment to restore overhead lines and distribution links in An Nasariyah.

"A lot of the time they had equipment, but it either needed repair or had been looted," said Womble.

Approximately 100 police officers are now back on the streets of Al Kut and efforts continue to rearm and train the local police force. Joint-police patrols in the city of Ad Diwaniyah are continuing and plans to devise and implement a police force training program are underway.

U.S. Agency for International Development has contracted with San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp. for emergency infrastructure repair and rehabilitation in Iraq, including dredging, repair and upgrading the Umm Qasr seaport.

The contract calls also for the repair, rehabilitation or reconstruction of vital elements of Iraq's infrastructure. This includes assessment and repair of power generation facilities and grids, and municipal water and sewer systems.
Most school systems around the country are conducting classes including those in the Wasit governate, which is awaiting attendance reports. UNICEF is planning to overhaul the national education program including the removal of Baath Party propaganda.

Numerous reconstruction and rehabilitation projects are occurring daily in order to enable the people of Iraq to support and govern themselves.
"That is our primary effort," said Lt. General James T. Conway, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. "Everyone involved is working together to see that it happens as rapidly as possible."