27 June 2006
New Iraqi Government Initiative Is Step Toward Brighter Future
Plan focuses on security, economic development, coalition spokesman says
Washington -- Iraq’s National Reconciliation and Dialogue Project, announced by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki June 25, is the beginning of progress toward a brighter future, says U.S. Army Major General William Caldwell, spokesman for Multinational Force - Iraq.
“[T]he prime minister launched a process by which all Iraqis can heal, the nation can mend, and the future can be written in the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people,” Caldwell told journalists at a June 27 press briefing in Baghdad.
The project is a key component of the new Iraqi government’s agenda to bring Iraq’s diverse communities together, with an emphasis on security, “so citizens can live and work and pray in safety,” and on economic policies that would meet basic needs as well as foster growth opportunities. (See related article.)
“The process,” Caldwell said, “must include frank talk, constitutional legitimacy, respect for human rights and the earnest participation of the people and their leaders."
Caldwell said the prime minister’s plan also would address the number of militias currently operating outside the rule of law, another key security challenge facing the new Iraq.
“[Maliki] vowed Iraqis must tackle illegal armed groups on political, economic, and security levels,” Caldwell said, “For national reconciliation and dialogue, Iraqis must lay down their arms and they must uphold the political process,” he said.
“The announcement of Iraq’s National Reconciliation Dialogue is but a beginning in a long road requiring hard work, patience, cooperation, and resolve,” Caldwell said. But when completed, Iraq would be able to “stride forward in peace and prosperity; whole, healed, capable, and hopeful.” (See related article.)
IRAQI FORCES SUPPORT SEARCH FOR MISSING U.S. SOLDIERS
U.S. Army Major General James D. Thurman joined Caldwell at the briefing in expressing support for the prime minister’s plan, adding that Iraqi army and special forces units played a significant role in “Operation Fallen Eagle,” the recent search for two missing coalition soldiers. (See related article.)
From June 16 to June 20, some 8,000 Iraqi and coalition forces combed the area surrounding southern Baghdad where the soldiers last were seen before an apparent ambush. U.S. Army and Marines, joined by the Iraqi forces, conducted 25 combat operations and 11 air assaults, he said. The combined forces detained 36 individuals, 20 of whom Thurman said are believed to be directly linked to the attack on the soldiers.
As the operation unfolded, Iraqi forces helped to gather tips from area residents as well as analyze evidence recovered from several locations that eventually led to the recovery of the missing soldiers' remains.
“This was a true combined and joint effort that we put forth to go find our missing soldiers,” Thurman said.
While Thurman currently is overseeing an investigation of the incident, he said members of al-Qaida in Iraq were the most likely perpetrators of the ambush. Thurman said that, during the mission, the combined forces seized more than 300 documents, computer files and videotapes, and that 13 detainees still were providing additional actionable intelligence for future operations.
“These events demonstrate what a ruthless and brutal enemy we face and the tough nature of this fight that we're in today, as the terrorists continue to try to disrupt the formation of this government,” Caldwell said. “We will continue to target these elements and we will bring them to justice, because they're operating outside the rule of law, and that will not stand.”
For more information, see Iraq Update.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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