Today, after my first article I spent some time looking for some good news out of Iraq. The following quotes and observations are part of my findings.
The following quotes were taken from General Casey’s Corner written by Gen. George W. Casey Jr. in This Week in Iraq
(http://www.mnf-iraq.com/Publications/TWII/current.pdf)
“Two years ago there were a handful of security forces. Today there are more than 268, trained and developed Iraqi security forces.”
“Today, the 5th Iraqi Army Division is assuming security responsibility in Diayala from Task Force Band of Brothers.”
“Later this month, Muthanna will be the first providence to transition to complete Iraqi security Control.”
“Iraqi and Coalition forces have eliminated terrorist safe havens along the Tigris and Euphrates River Valley, restoring Iraqi control to the Syrian Border.
“Together, we are dismantaling al-Qaida in Iraq.”
“They have failed to regain safe havens, disrupt the democratic process, stop the development of the ISF or undermine the Coalition.
The following quotes are from the Operation Iraqi Freedom web site (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.html) accessed on July 9th 2006 at approximately 10:32am central USA time.
“The Iraq Stock Exchange reopened under the new streamed-lined securities law resulting in an increase in companies listed from 10 initially to 87.”
“Soldiers from the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion made their way to remote villages in the mountains north of the town of Zahko, Iraq to cut ribbons at two freshwater well projects”.
“The 403 rd Civil Affairs Battalion helped the Kurdish Regional Government rid this year’s wheat harvest of the insect in to increase grain quality”.
“Multi-National Division- Baghdad Soldiers, in coordination with local Iraqi governments, continue their efforts in Operation Baghdad is Beautiful, which is a joint operation aimed at helping to restore and improve Baghdad through the removal of trash, debris, and barrier materials”.
“Iraqi Army officials conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $12 million billeting project for Iraqi Army Soldiers in Samarra last Thursday.”
“The completed project includes not only the billets but a dining hall and shower facilities as well. Prior to the completion, the Soldiers on FOB 7 were living in cramped tents, many of which leaked and had no climate control. There were also limited washing and dining facilities. Other projects underway include a motor-pool and storage facility. “
“Samarra City Council President Asaad Ali Yaseen has taken a holistic approach to healing his hometown. The 53-year-old businessman has become a link between
Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces, local and provincial governance and his constituents by serving in a leadership position and providing goods and services to the town.
"I have a big heart … I'm almost like a bank for the city and I try to provide them with whatever they need," said Yaseen.
When Samarra's hospital needed climate-control and ambulance repairs, Yaseen pulled the money out of his pocket.
With money earned from construction and imports, he published a local newspaper - the first post-Saddam era publication in the city.
Despite the risk to his safety, Yaseen has even made trips to neighboring Sulaymaniyah Province, where he's helping to establish a city welfare system.
He makes regular trips to Tikrit where he works with the Salah ad Din provincial council to ensure Samarra receives funding for upgrades to the city's water, sewage and electrical systems.
He also plans to give urban youth an alternative to violence by lobbying the local legislature to provide 3,000 soccer balls, uniforms and shoes. “
In an interview with BBC reporter Majid Talid a Shia English teacher makes the following comments:
“With the situation at the moment it is hard to enjoy yourself and I usually like to check the news on the internet and see what is going on in my country.”
“It is hard to make plans for the future, because I don't know what will happen in Iraq, but my wish is to get a free scholarship so I can get a Masters degree in English to train English teachers for the children here in the country.
On balance, I think things in Iraq are better. We used to have more oil but now we have freedom.
I can speak about any subject I want to and people can buy whatever they want.
Unlike before, there are things for people to aspire to now in Iraq. “
The Us Amry Corp of Engineers (http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/portal/page?_pageid=95,1&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL) reports the following:
“3002 projects starts( out of 3407, planned projects).”
“2,417 projects are complete”
“Increased power generation to 1.3 million homes”
“Improved Electricity Distribution to approximately 280k Homes”
2.4 million barrels per day produced out of a 2.5 million barrels per day potential.
1.4 million estimated Iraqis receiving water from 222,000 cubic meters per day of water treatment.
Two primary Healthcare Centers completed and 10 Development Fund for Iraq funded centers completed.
832 classrooms servicing approximately 325,000.