PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE U.S. EMBASSY - BAGHDAD: Security Agreement Update: Gen. Odierno, Iraqi Ministry Dignitaries, June 15, 2009
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Gen. Ray Odierno, CG, MNF-I, and Iraqi Ministry Dignitaries provide an update on the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement.
PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE U.S. EMBASSY – BAGHDAD:
Iraqi Government Spokesman, Dr. Ali Al-Dabbagh, Iraqi Minister of Defense, Mr. Abdul Qader Mohammad Jassim Al-Mafrji, Iraq Minister of Interior, Mr. Jawad al-Bulani, and Multi-National Force – Iraq Commanding General, Gen. Ray Odierno, provide an update on the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement.
DATE: June 15, 2009
TRANSCRIBED BY: SOS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
PARTICIPANTS:
Dr. Ali Al-Dabbagh; Mr. Abdul Qader Mohammad Jassim Al-Mafri; Mr. Jawad al-Bulani; General Raymond Odierno; Abdul Hamed[ph] from The [Unintelligible]; Gina Chon from the Wall Street Journal; John [Unintelligible] from Fox News; Jane Rath[ph] from the Christian Science Monitor; unidentifiable reporters from the Associated Press, Reuters, the New York Times, The Guardian; and other unnamed reporters.
REPORTERS 1-16
REP1 = REPORTER 1
INT = INTERPRETER
[PH] = PHONETIC SPELLING
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: As-Salāmu `Alaykum everyone. We apologize for the delay for you. And the General was del-...late also because he needed an approval to come into the city because the Americans now are outside the cities. In the name of God, the most merciful, we should start.
In the name of God, the most merciful, we welcome all of you at this press con-...joint press conference to talk about the steps to complete the withdrawal of the American forces from the cities and Iraqi villages based on Article 24 of the SOFA agreement between Iraq and the United States about the withdrawal of the American forces from Iraq and organize its activities during its temporary presence that all the U.S. combat forces to be completely withdrawn from the cities no later than 30 June, 2009.
The steps between the two sides, the Iraqi and the American side, are going on to complete the withdrawal at this specific time, which is going to be considered a historical date, will be written in the Iraqi history. And this is a fruit of the efforts and for all Iraqis to complete the Iraqi sovereignty and build an Iraqi...democratic Iraq in the stable. Reconciliation between the people of Iraq and the neigh-...the regional neighbor after it lost its edge as a result of the previous regime that entered Iraq into serious difficulties and problems. And now all Iraqis have tried to exit from this problem and end all the problems and ramifications that arose. And the Iraqi people have paid great price to achieve its freedom and its national choice.
30 June will be a date to complete an effort that started by the Iraqi negotiation...negotiator that he knew how to manage the negotiations with the Coalition, who are very careful that the Iraqis will arrive to the moment where they receive the responsibility. The SOFA will increase and will be completed with the exit of all American forces from Iraq at the end of 2011. 30 June, a new phase...an important phase will start to take over the security responsibilities in Iraqi cities, and the security of the citizens and their lives and their property will be in the hands of the Iraqi forces, which will be directly responsible for all that. And this is a normal situation that must be happen. And this is what the Iraqi government has been seeking.
And our brave heroes from the Army and the police and their leadership, they will be held in full responsibility. 30 June will add to the symbol of the 30 June, 1920, the day of the Great Revolution, which is considered a symbol of the proud...pride for all Iraqis which [unintelligible] place under danger. And this is the start of this new phase in Iraqi modern history, which put everyone now on important steps to build the country and [unintelligible] responsibility to make sure that the new system is succeeding.
The step of withdrawal of American forces from the city will be a main step in this effort. And the Iraqi government is committed to receive all the security responsibility and protect security, protect its citizens and all foreigners who are working and living in Iraq, and embassies and the foreign missions, and the commercial and the cultural missions also working in this country. The Iraqi government is proud in the professionalism and courage of the Iraqi forces and the level it has reached, that it’s able to face the security threats from terrorist groups or armed groups or criminal groups.
The Iraqi government affirms that the American forces will complete its...the withdrawal of the combat forces at the specific time, and will leave limited numbers from the technicians with our security forces for the purpose of training, and will operate some equipment based on the request of the Iraqi government. And any problems will be solved that might arise, you know, from the SOFA will be solved in a mutually state to state and based on equal basis.
An emphasis will be in the next phase to activate the Strategic Framework Agreement between Iraq and the United States. That has formed a framework for the mutual cooperation between the two countries and the two people and the Government of Iraq and the United States of America, and formed permission to start a new phase from efforts for civil cooperation outside the military and security framework after the Iraqi Security Forces will be focusing on security effort. There will be limited missions and limited movements for the American forces that will withdraw to locations and camps that have been agreed on by the two sides. And there will be no combat mission unless there is a request by the Government of the Republic of Iraq. And the withdrawal will be complete from all the lands and waters and the airspace of Iraq at a time that does not exceed 31 December, 2011, or before that, according to the plan that President Obama has [unintelligible] for the forces of his country which we considered in harmony with the wishes of the Iraqi government.
The Iraqi government announces that it will use all the authorities that the constitution gives it to protect the internal security from any individuals or groups that try to break the law and threaten public order. And the Iraqi government warns that there are some [unintelligible], some [unintelligible] to destabilize the country through some terrorist operations or assassinations to give the national effort to receive the security responsibility [unintelligible]. Thank you very much.
Now the minister of defense will give an [unintelligible] to the efforts that MOD has exerted during the joint efforts.
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: As-Salāmu `Alaykum everyone. As you all know, the agreement to withdraw the American forces from Iraq is implemented based on a supreme committee headed by the prime minister. And there are two committees: One of them is headed by me, which is the Military Operation Committee. And the other committee, [unintelligible] Non-military Operations, is headed by His Excellency, the minister of interior. We follow the work of the two committees through four subcommittees. The first one is the committee to hand over the Green Zone or the International Zone. And the second committee is the committee of operations and training and support. And the committee to receive the security responsibility in the other provinces. And there is the committee of the air and land and sea movement logistical support with the Multi-National Forces. Also, the minister of defense following up with His Excellency, the ministry of interior, the issue of the frequencies for our airspace.
What was implemented during this time period was in more than one direction. The first one was the operational direction. The operational direction is how the military operation will be implemented after 30 June. As you all know, there are some operations, you know, counter-terror operations that is conducted by Special Ops. These are Special Ops. There are American forces with them. And there are SWAT team in MOI. Also the CTB. And they are work...the American forces work jointly or independently with the Iraqi forces. A joint coordination center has been established to manage these operations so this operation will not be directed unless it is done based on the chain of command so the Iraqi government will have full knowledge of that.
And we have the issue of the traditional operations. The traditional operations are implemented with the ground forces, which is the Army forces and the National Police from the Ministry of Interior. Also, we have a joint coordination center to plan and to prepare these operations. And there is a liaison in the joint office where there is representatives from all the security ministries [unintelligible] and other support ministries. This was implemented and we agreed, and we are working currently to conduct exercises to emphasize on the accuracy of what we have reached this under command and control in coordination with the American forces.
About the receiving of the camps and bases, the operation is continuing to receive the small and large bases. Also the Ministry of Interior is following up on some locations, non-military locations, has been received for military purposes and they are [unintelligible] and we can see we have surpassed more than 90%. And this operation on 30 June, all areas will be received.
What is left from the American forces to work with the Iraqi forces? There will be support, aerial support, through air controllers. And there will be technical groups to manage the equipment, you know, video surveillance, whether they are surveillance or to check the locations of the IDFs continuously. And we will have support operations to the engineering support, especially when there are IEDs...complex IEDs where we need the help of the American forces. Also, we’re going to have coordination and control if necessary to call the ground forces. These headquarters will conduct this operation. Our forces conducting the operation, they exchange operations with the American forces in an organized fashion, military-accurate fashion, and not randomly, but within an accurate plan. We are following up on it and, God willing, this operation will be concluded at the end of this month, 30 June. Thank you.
MR JAWAD: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: In the name of God, the most merciful. The Non-operational Affairs Committee, which is headed by the minister of interior, the Ministry of Interior coordinates in its work eight different committees. These committees explains the mechanism and the nature of implementing the progress and articles in...of the agreement. The first committee is the Communication Committee, which is headed by the minister of communications and has to do with the frequencies. And the second committee is the Committee to Control the Airspace, headed by the minister of transportation. And the third committee is Import and Export Committee, which is the responsibility of the minister of trade. The Claim Committee is a committee headed by the minister of justice. Also, Entry and Exit Committee, headed by the minister of interior. The Jurisdiction Committee, from the Judicial Council and from the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior. And the Detainee Committee, also the Ministry of Interior and the Judicial Council and the Ministry of Justice. And the other committee, which is...has to do with managing the civil activity, which has to do with the recording of vehicle license plates and other activities for the civil members and the military forces and members of the diplomatic missions, and also the activity have to do with the military forces that are operating in Iraq within the American forces from the military side and civilian contractors.
These three committees...these eight committees were able to hold... the main committee held more than three separate, successful meetings. These meetings had a positive environment and transparency in implementing the article of this agreement. And it is committed to be accurate in implementing the program that has been put by the presidency of the two committees. The committee, as I said, from the Iraq side is headed by the minister of interior, and on the American side is headed by General Odierno and His Excellency, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. The work of these committees is going very well.
About the frequency committee, the Iraqi was able to regain the large part from these frequencies that has to do with the direct work for [unintelligible] of the ministry of communications and the VHF and UHF was returned in a high percentage; now it’s in the hands of the Iraqi government.
About the airspace control, the Ministry of Transportation was able to complete the contract in the company that was responsible in helping the Ministry of Transportation in this direction. And now the subject is the responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation and the procedures are continuing within the framework of the transferring this responsibility to control the airspace.
The detainee issue. This committee achieved its mission and more than 3,000 detainees has been released that there was no evidence against...the Iraqi or the judicial was not able to convict them of any...committing any crime. And more than 700 detainees were—the ones that were in the prisons of the American forces—were returned to the Iraqi security custody because there are some arrest warrants issued against them, and they are now in the process of being investigated. According to the Iraqi law, this committee is practicing its work.
The Claim Committee, which is headed by the minister of justice, is working hard with the American side to manage more than 24 centers that applications are submitted at for the people who have been harmed, you know, as a result of military operations in different areas of Iraq. And this committee has its courses of action and its mechanism.
And I think the environment of work now is much better in these committees. And as I said, we depend...our dependence on the spirit of the constructive work and the spirit of dealing with [unintelligible], my brother, Dr. Al-Dabbagh, has mentioned that the work environment is going through...managing these files state to state. The situation in Iraq and my assessment now are better. And we still have a number of procedures ahead of us to achieve; we will achieve it in the coming days, God willing.
GEN ODIERNO: I’m honored to join you today alongside this group of senior Iraqi leaders, all trusted and dedicated partners, to talk with you today.
Since January, I’ve worked alongside the minister of defense on the Joint Military Operations Committee as well as the minister of interior on the Joint Committee to ensure that we implement the security agreement—what I would call the historic security agreement—between the Government of Iraq and the United States of America.
The United States forces remain absolutely committed to fulfilling the terms of the security agreement, and the end of this month is another important benchmark of this fact. In accordance with this security agreement, U.S. combat forces will leave the cities on 30 June, and it will be a great day for the Iraqi people. Improvements in the security environment have enabled us to arrive at this historic moment, ready and able to continue moving forward on the security agreement our nations agreed upon last December.
The dark days of previous years are behind us. Today, Iraqis are able to lead more normal lives, more children in schools, restaurants are beginning to open, shops are doing business, and Parliament is meeting. Across Iraq, attacks remain low as a result of the strong partnership between Iraqi and U.S. security forces, forged in tough fighting during the surge of operations that began in January of 2007.
In this environment and in accordance with the security agreement, it is a fitting time that our combat forces move out of the cities, villages, and localities at the end of this month. So far this year, we have already closed or returned 142 bases to the Government of Iraq since the security agreement went into effect on the 1st of January. And since last September, we have reduced over 30,000 Multi-National Force – Iraq troops in all of Iraq.
The power of our relationship is built on a mutual respect for the sovereignty of our nations, and I am greatly impressed by the capacity and professionalism of the Iraqi Security Forces and the progress they have made over the last few years; they are providing security in the cities and serving and protecting the Iraqi people. At the request of our partners, U.S. forces will focus on training, advising, and coordination with the Iraqi Security Forces inside the cities. U.S. forces outside the cities, in partnership with Iraqi Security Forces, will continue to conduct operations. This milestone of moving out of the cities is another step in a long-term, strategic relationship between the Government of Iraq and the United States. We are committed to a sovereign, stable, and self-reliant Iraq.
I would like to express my admiration for the Iraqi people, who have withstood so much violence over the years, turned against extremists, and worked closely with the Iraqi Security Forces to restore security to their neighborhoods. And once again, it’s my honor to attend this press conference today with my colleagues and friends, and I would be glad to take any of your questions. Thank you very much.
DR AL-DABBAGH: Shukran, General; shukran. [Continues speaking in Arabic.]
INT: Now we’ll...question, if you have any question...we want to take question.
[Part 3]
REP1: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: Abdul Hamed[ph] from the [Unintelligible]. A question to the minister of defense. You mentioned there was a committee to receive the security responsibilities in the provinces. What is the plan of this committee? How are you going to deal with the provinces, as one? Or are you going to divide the provinces according to the security situation, [unintelligible] exceptional environments?
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: There are no exceptional provinces. For us, the security in the provinces, as you all know, will receive the responsibility in 13 provinces; and the rest of the provinces, 5 of them, these provinces, as it is clear to everyone, we have some security situation that needs to be followed up accurately. And we are following up on the five provinces that are left and based on scientific and studied so we will not have any security problem.
REP2: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: As-Salāmu `Alaykum. [Unintelligible], Associated Press. My question to the minister of defense. Can you give us a time period? How much time do you need where you will not need the help of the Multi-National forces? Is it one or two years? And the other question is to General Odierno. Can you give us a number of the American forces that will be outside the city? And how many camps?
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: About your first question, I explained very clearly that there is a need for the support issue and the support...fire support...special fire support that has to do with the helicopters. We have, as you all know, complete plans to arm our forces with this kind of helicopters within a time period that will be completed before 2011. We will have capabilities for helicopter support starting the middle of 2010. And this will grow gradually, but our plan to be able at the end of 2011 to have complete support. The support also needs logistical support and logistical support is focused greatly on MEDEVAC.
GEN ODIERNO: I’ll just say in September of last year, we had 160,000 Multi-National Force – Iraq soldiers on the ground; we now have 130,000. We had approximately 460 bases; we are now down to about 320. We will continue to reduce those this year and we will continue to reduce both our forces and the number of bases in 2010 and through December of 2011, when we will be completely withdrawn from Iraq.
DR AL-DABBAGH: Thank you.
REP3: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: Question to General Odierno. Is there an American [unintelligible] independently about Americans after 30 June and how many camps in all the provinces?
GEN ODIERNO: [Unintelligible] remaining that just Coalition Forces are on inside of Iraq. But we are slowly turning them over to the Government of Iraq. And many camps are now jointly manned by forces from the Iraqi Security Forces and the U.S. forces. And as I just said, on June 30th, we’ll have about 320 locations around Iraq, and we will continue to reduce that throughout this year, next year, and 2011 until we get to zero.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Speaks very briefly in Arabic without translation.]
REP4: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: As-Salāmu `Alaykum. [Unintelligible] from Reuters. The question is to the MOD. You talk about five Iraqi provinces. Can we find out, you know, the situation accurately in these five provinces? Is there going to be American forces or Iraqi forces? And my question is to General Odierno. After 30 of June, there is going to be any Iraqi detainees in American prisons, or are you going to hand over all detainees to the Iraqi parties? Thank you.
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: In general for us, in all the Iraqi provinces and its cities, we will not need American forces starting 1/1/2009, January 1, 2009. The sovereignty is for us all over the provinces. And after that, you know, the reduction for the American forces has started. As you all know, there are some procedures to receive the security files by the local governments and these procedures will be done by us as Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense. And then that these provinces would go back to the MOI completely. This is in part of the plans that are put in details.
GEN ODIERNO: As was...as we...as was stated in the security agreement, we will hand over all detainees in a safe and secure fashion. We have worked very closely through the Detainee Committee that we will turn over all responsibility for all Iraqi detainees over 2009. So, yes, there will be some detainees still in U.S. custody after 30 June, but we expect all of them will be turned over to the Government of Iraq or released by the end of 2009.
DR AL-DABBAGH: Thank you. Wall Street.
REP5: Gina Chon, Wall Street Journal. General Odierno, I have a question about some comments you had made earlier about some reservations regarding some cities such as Mosul, you said, perhaps, weren’t ready. And what has changed now? Because we’ve seen a couple of releases about hand overs on that. And also, you’ve expressed before concerns about election-related violence and we saw something perhaps at least to a lawmaker who was killed last week. What are your concerns about that as January 31st approaches? Thank you.
GEN ODIERNO: First, I would say that when I...we had reservations in Mosul, that was a few months ago when violence was up in Mosul. We have had very successful operations in Mosul over the last 45 days. We have been able to detain several key leaders. I feel much more comfortable now where we’re at in Mosul. I also...the Iraqi Security Forces have also increased their presence in Mosul so I am more comfortable with that now. And that’s why I think it is time to leave the cities—all the Iraqi cities—to include Mosul. And what was the second question again?
REP5: [Unintelligible].
GEN ODIERNO: Yeah. Again, I’m boosted by how well the provincial elections went, how safe and secure those were. Obviously, we will watch very closely. We’ll be here to assist the Government of Iraq as we move toward the parliamentary elections at the beginning of next year. And we will be here to help them to ensure that there’s...that security is maintained and that there is a credible and legitimate election as they move forward, which we believe is on track to happen.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Unintelligible], sir.
REP6: John [Unintelligible] with Fox News. I’d like to ask if the Government of Iraq has communicated to the U.S. all of the bases that must be closed by the end of June, if that has been communicated or do there remain some that are still under negotiation? And is this the job of the prime minister’s office to identify each of those bases or is it the Ministry of Defense or who, actually, on the Iraqi side is doing that?
GEN ODIERNO: If I could answer first, and then I’ll let them. First, according to the security agreement, there is a committee established under the Joint Committee that deals with bases. We had to submit a list on the 1st of January that had all of the bases that the Coalition Forces occupy, and then we submit another list that will say all the bases that we currently occupy on 30 June. And those have been submitted and coordinated with the Government of Iraq.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: These location have been specified jointly between the Iraqi government and American forces based on many factors: The need and its location, if it’s a high security or threat area, or in an area that is in compliance with the articles of the SOFA. The locations will be evacuated are locations that have been agreed upon. And also these locations will be vacated gradually until the end of 2011.
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: Also, the issue of locations, these locations are documented at the Council of Ministers at the director of the prime minister’s office, and then it will be clear is it going to go to the Ministry of Defense or Ministry of Interior, and then it will be received in the traditional way by the two ministries.
MR JAWAD: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: The Ministry of Interior has said that there is an addition that the committee is considered [unintelligible] operational committee, which is a committee to receive, you know, the location’s bases, to include bases and civilian buildings and other departments. And I think this committee is a very important committee. As my brother, MOD, mentioned, it’s headed by the director of the prime minister’s office. But we have representatives from different sides that are working in the framework of receiving these buildings of these camps that they belong to. The department MOI or MOD.
REP7: [Unintelligible] with the New York Times. I’m just wondering if you could give us a specific number, come July 1st, how many Americans you expect – whether they are support, logistical, force protection troops – inside Baghdad itself, so that when Iraqis wake up July 1st, they know a bit more what to expect? And also, perhaps, Mosul, if you have an exact number of American troops that will be, in some fashion, working in the city.
GEN ODIERNO: First, as I’ve said before, I leave that up to the subordinate commanders to work those numbers. And they work that in coordination with their Iraqi counterparts: In Mosul, with the Mosul operational commander and Ninawa operational commander, and here in Baghdad, with the Baghdad operational commander. So we will not get into any specific numbers, but it is a very small number.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: This is [unintelligible] is going to be sufficient for coordination and [unintelligible] operation, but the numbers are going to be very limited. [Unintelligible] said the numbers are not specified. It depends on the location and then the need of the Iraqi government representatives and the security ministers, the need of some technicians to manage, you know, locations or help Iraqis in operating some equipment. This number, we cannot specify it. We cannot say this is a number we are committed to. This number is changing according to need.
REP8: [Unintelligible], Associated Press. A question to General Odierno and to you. How many bases are we talking about within the cities of Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk – within the city limits, JSSs – that will remain open with U.S. personnel in either a training or advising capacity.
GEN ODIERNO: Again, none of the JSSs are U.S. JSSs, they are all Iraqi JSSs. And again, based on the need, there will be some technical support that are provided at some of these JSSs, but that will be determined locally.
REP8: So you don’t know which specific places U.S. troops will currently remain in two weeks?
GEN ODIERNO: First, again, I said that JSSs are Iraqi JSSs. Based on technical need, there will be a decision made, between the Government of Iraq and the United States, where they need technical support, and that’s where the American forces will be.
DR AL-DABBAGH: Yes, ma’am? [Unintelligible].
REP9: Thank you. Jane Rath[ph] from the Christian Science Monitor. I have a question for the defense minister. The security agreement was negotiated in a different financial climate. And since its implementation, there have been concerns that, with the Iraqi budget crisis, the expansion of the Army has been frozen, there is no money for spare parts. It has affected things across the board regarding security. Is that a concern of yours or anyone else’s as you hand over to...as you increasingly take over from the Americans?
[Brief dialog in Arabic, without translation, between the Iraqi officials.]
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: Of course the budget and what happened, the financial...international financial crisis and its effect on us, but the allocations of the Iraqi government to the Ministry of Defense budget was acceptable allocations and it was used in a very good way to secure the necessary [unintelligible] Iraqi forces and the plan for 2009. And we achieved our requirement in a very good way. The issue of spare parts or the issue, secure the other, different equipment, you know, is not done immediately, but it will be done through last year. Starting in 2006 until today, we always have, you know, the worst-case scenario. We are completely confident that we will have the reserve and spare parts and different issues to face in any worst-case scenario.
MR JAWAD: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: The Ministry of Interior also has plans to deal with any challenges that are present at the economical level or allocations. But we...the ministers must...the security ministries must have some flexible plans to face these challenges. And I think we face the improvement phase of the, you know, the rise of the oil prices. Hopefully the government will put a supplemental budget to provide...to secure some resources for the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: Dr. Reilly[?] said the government is committed to provide, you know, the spare parts. And the reductions have happened mostly to the civil ministries. The Iraqi government is committed to provide the requirements and the needs of the security ministries to receive the security responsibility.
REP10: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: My question to the minister of interior and minister of defense. Will the Iraqi Security Forces will be completely ready to receive the security responsibility in Iraq? And how the coordination with Coalition Forces going to be done?
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: For us, this is a promise in front of our people that we are able to protect and provide security. We are planning from 2004 ‘til today with the...especially with the American forces, where there will be a day we’ll receive the complete security responsibility. This is very clear to us, and we are fully prepared for this issue, and we have plans with the American forces.
About the coordination, as I mentioned, the coordination process will be done through the coordination and liaison centers, jointly...manned jointly by representatives from the MOI, MOD, CTB[?], National Security, and also, Multi-National Forces will be there to deal with any situation. And they are located in more than one center and in most of the sensitive areas and the main commands all over Iraq.
MR JAWAD: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: I would like to explain something. Anyone who follows up on the procedures that has happened and the readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces, they need to go back to 2006, 2007, 2008 and notice the size of improvement that happened in the capabilities of these services. Most of the security duties in Iraq are conducted by Iraqi Security Forces, and it’s in certain areas, coordination is done and joint work is done with American forces.
The conditions of the implement...or transferring of responsibility is in the cities after the withdrawal of the American forces outside the cities. This does not mean is the end of the security challenges. So we should be clear that we deal with situations facing terror, and facing organized crimes and militias and any other title of the criminal or terror. For that the security services...the Iraqi security services have the capability to face these challenges. And for that, and I think this phase, as my brother, MOD has mentioned, is a very important phase to implement these timelines so the Iraqis will be assured that the security services are ready and able to face any challenges on the ground.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Inaudible] the last [unintelligible] question.
GEN ODIERNO: [Inaudible] relationships with the Iraqi Security Forces over the last several years. And those relationships enable us to continue coordination after we pull out of the cities at every level, from the battalion level up to the national level. This long-term partnership that we have will continue to serve to provide appropriate security throughout Iraq.
REP11: [Unintelligible] from CNN...
REP12: [Unintelligible] General Odierno, about Mosul. You said now....
REP11: ...[inaudible]...is that the recommendation you made to the Iraqi government? Because a few months ago, you said it’s an Iraqi decision. And Dr. Dabbagh, regarding Kurd-Arab tensions in places like Mosul: What is being done on the political level? We’ve heard that Prime Minister Maliki and Mr. Barzani have not met in months. Is there any effort on the political scene?
GEN ODIERNO: If I could, first, those joint security assessments done in six of the major areas we were worried about to include Mosul; that was done jointly. The minister of defense, the minister of interior, myself traveled to each one of these provinces. We were given extensive briefings by the Iraqi and U.S. leaders there. Based on these recommendations, we came back and a report was administered to the prime minister. And then that’s when we came to making a decision on what our footprint would look like on 30 June. And that’s...what we’ve agreed to is our combat forces will withdraw from the cities. We will have some trainers, advisors, and individuals that [unintelligible]. So that was all part of the process and that’s the conclusion we came to.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: There are no specific procedures to me-...for a meeting between the prime minister and Barzani...President Barzani. The Iraqi government sees a political solution in Mosul that all the components will participate in managing the city in a mutual, respectful way. And this is the plan of the prime minister. And he has [unintelligible] that to the Provincial Council members and the [unintelligible] to Baghdad. And we hope that is a solution that will satisfy all different sides so we can avoid any additional problems to the city, which is considered one of the most important cities in Iraq and also it represents a security challenge to the Iraqi government.
REP12: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: We know at the end of June the American forces will leave the Iraqi provinces. But what about the MOI and MOD forces? The pro-...the security in the provinces will be managed by a joint committee of MOI and MOD or the MOI will be responsible for the security in the provinces?
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: The command and control now is...in Iraq is doing...is being conducted through seven operational commands. These commands, we have forces from MOI/MOD completely represented in these areas. There is...in some areas, there is no operational command, but the larger-sized force that is managing the operations, for example, in Nasiriyah and [unintelligible] and Samara. If the MOI is the larger, it will manage the operations; if the Army is larger, it will manage the operations. But in general, the command and control, it will be done by the seven commands that are currently present. We are regularly working according to a [unintelligible] plan to transfer the security file completely to the Ministry of Interior and in a way that will not leave any security gaps where the MOD forces will be outside...completely outside the cities. And it will be focused on protecting the borders, second lines after, you know, the Iraqi border forces.
MR JAWAD: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: I would like just to point out one thing and the point of view that is always brought up that the Iraqi Security Forces, both MOI and MOD forces, they will receive the responsibilities from American forces in most of the areas and will then, by the end of June, the real presence and security work inside the provinces. And the minister of defense has explained it will depend on the presence of the supreme force. The Ministry of Interior and the police stations will coordinate with the units of the MOD through headquarters, through joint coordination centers.
The important thing now is the phase is to prove the presence of the Iraqi Security Forces, which is a very important historical moment or phase, from the phases of building these capabilities and this ability to implement the agreement between the Iraqi government and the government of the United States based on this partnership and based on the presence of the capability that Iraqi Security Forces enjoy during this phase. This is what we are emphasizing on during this time period.
REP13: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: [Unintelligible]. General Odierno, I have two questions. The first one about your withdrawal from...on 30 June. Is it going to be accompanied by any reduction in the forces in Iraq? And the second question, what is the situation for the SOIs, the ones that are managed by the American forces?
GEN ODIERNO: First, you know we’ve been slowly withdrawing from the cities now for the last six months. So there’s...the majority of the U.S. forces are already out of the cities. So there will be a small withdrawal from the cities to complete the total withdrawal from the cities. There will be a slow reduction of U.S. forces from now until the end of 2009. It will happen slowly over time. It will happen completely in coordination with the Government of Iraq as we move forward.
In terms of the Sons of Iraq, the complete file has been turned over to the Government of Iraq. They have been now paying the salaries of the Sons of Iraq for the last two months across all of Iraq. And we believe that program has been moving along very well. They have allocated money to make sure their salaries are paid throughout the rest of 2009. The Council of Ministers has approved a plan to integrate the Sons of Iraq, both into non-security and security ministries. They have just begun to implement that. And we continue to work very closely with the Government of Iraq to transition the Sons of Iraq...or to continue to transition the Sons of Iraq program.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: There is no SOI forces that are paid by the American forces. All the SOIs are paid by the Iraqi government. And as General Odierno mentioned, there was a decision by the Council of Ministers that some of the SOIs are being distributed around some ministries, non-security ministries.
MR JAWAD: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: Starting February, 2009, we start paying, you know, the salaries of the SOIs from the budget of the Ministry of Interior.
REP14: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: From [Unintelligible]. The question to the MOI. Is there any slowing or foot-dragging in paying the salaries of the SOIs? Is the new mechanism going to work to resolve this crisis, especially there are some areas...some...the withdraw.... And the second question is to the minister of defense. There is a committee from the Parliamentarian Committee that was formed to follow up on the activities of the Ministry of Defense. Do you think this will disrupt your work during your receiving of the security file? Especially we have noticed that the Iraqi forces are at a high level of readiness to receive the security file. And thank you.
MR JAWAD: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: We started in February to pay the salaries. Then the file moved from the IFCNR to the Ministry of Interior based on a Council of Ministers decision, and the MOI starting paying the salaries of SOIs. And the file was completely transferred from the American forces to the Iraqi government. The Iraqi government is committed to the SOIs and to their future and to their situation. And I think a lot of the achievements have been achieved on this file. There is numbers...previous numbers have been integrated in the security service and there is a plan to integrate in the civil institutions.
The salaries are continuing to be paid and all that we have in some areas, in some cases. So the numbers are, you know, it doesn’t matter. And these issues...these administrative issues are resolved through the coordination methods and declared[?] by our forces, the [unintelligible] force of MOI and MOD, to deal with these administrative issues. But the government is committed to implement its policy to take in, you know, the SOIs and take care of them who had a major and important role in the security operation.
MR ABDUL: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: About the issue of the Parliamentarian Committee is to follow up on the MOD, I do not have any idea. And if this committee exists, the MOD is working and [unintelligible] in nine different directions and is not annoyed by this...any committee, because each direction is administrative and they can answer any question, whether it’s Parliament-side or on the other side.
REP15: [Unintelligible] from The Guardian. A question for General Odierno. General, as you prepare to go back to bases, can you talk about the nature of the insurgency now? Are foreigners still coming to Iraq to fight and, if so, from which countries and how are they getting here?
GEN ODIERNO: Well, first I would say that we’ve seen a significant decrease in the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq over the last 8 to10 months. In fact, for the most part, it’s been just a trickle. And that’s due to the work that’s been done with the Iraqi Security Forces and the U.S. forces in reinforcing the borders and making it more difficult for them to transit. We have seen some fighters coming through Syria. Syria has begun to take some action against these fighters. That’s been encouraging over the last several weeks. So we hope that this will continue. But I think it has become very difficult for these foreign fighters to move internal to Iraq so that’s been very encouraging.
Al-Qaida has been degraded significantly. They’re still able to conduct some attacks. But we believe that it’s becoming more and more difficult for them. And actually, financially it’s becoming more and more difficult for them. And so we continue to focus on these very specific areas.
REP16: [Asks question in Arabic.]
INT: [Unintelligible]. The minister[?] to the minister of defense. You said about arming, don’t you see that previous period the plan of MOD to arm the Army was not fast? What are the number of the vehicles that has been added to the Iraqi Army? And a question to General Odierno. Will the American Army leave some equipment? Previously, some Humvees, they were left. Will they give it to the Iraqi Army to face the challenges?
MR ABDUL: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: MOD said about the arming plans, it’s being conducted according to the financial allocations. And at the same time, we need to put into consideration that the arming plans are...has to do with the capacity. The plan to arm for 2006, [200]7, and [200]8, it was very good and it was...is going in the right direction to improve our capabilities – the ground, aerial, and Navy capabilities – and in a way that focuses on priorities. And we are doing...going very good in this practice[?]. And the focus of our forces now is on internal security and trying to reach the level of our capabilities. We can provide protection on the borders and the external threat. And we are very satisfied with the arming plans.
MR JAWAD: [Speaks in Arabic.]
INT: The MOI said to protect in the sovereignty, the borders are the responsibility of MOI.
GEN ODIERNO: About a year and a half ago, the United States made a decision to leave a significant amount of Humvees behind and, in fact, to rebuild these Humvees and to issue them to the minister of defense and minister of interior. So far, we have rebuilt or reissued about over 5,000 Humvees. The total program is we will leave 8,500 Humvees in total. So there’s another 3,000 or so that are yet to be...go through this rebuild program and then left behind for the Government of Iraq.
As we draw down our forces, we will continue to work with the Government of Iraq and also the U.S. Congress and the Department of Defense to determine if there’s any other equipment that we will leave behind for the Government of Iraq. We work very closely with them on them purchasing equipment from the United States as well as us leaving some equipment behind that could assist them. But again, those will be decisions that are made in Washington in coordination with our recommendations here.
DR AL-DABBAGH: [Speaks briefly in Arabic without translation.] Shukran. Thank you very much.
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