Council meeting shows plan for Qada's future, elections

Photo By Sgt. Scott Wolfe | Sheik Qais, the Mada'in sheiks support council chairman, listens to discussions during the Mada'in combined targeting meeting on Jan. 22 at the Wahida government center, southeast of Baghdad. The discussion centered on the partnership between the 9th Iraqi army division and Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, to maintain security in and around polling sites for the upcoming Jan. 31 elections.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.25.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

By Staff Sgt. Scott Wolfe
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Iron Brigade," 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, participated in a Mada'in Qada combined targeting meeting with military and community leaders of the Qada at the Wahida government center on Jan. 22.

The purpose of the meeting was to inform the community leaders of upcoming election security measures as well as provide briefs on key civil capacity development initiatives by the brigade's forces operating in the Mada'in Qada.

Col. Pat White, commander of the 2nd BCT, introduced himself in the opening minutes and thanked the Mada'in leaders, specifically Sheik Qais, the Mada'in Tribal Sheiks Council chairman, Mayor Abu Buhar, Qada Chairman Qassim Mirhwa and Maj. Gen. Qassim, commander of the 9th Iraqi army division, for gathering together to address important issues.

"I think this is a very important day for the Qada. It has been a very long time since we had this many important leaders from the Qada in the same room," said White. "I think the mayor hit it on the head. This is about taking care of the citizens in the Qada, and you have the leaders and the decision makers in the room today to do that."

During the assembly, Dick Hawkins, the embedded provincial reconstruction team leader for the Qada, provided a brief explanation of the memorandum of understanding recently signed by the Baghdad mayor and Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general of MND-B and the 4th Infantry Division. The 9th IA civil affairs officer briefed an overview on civil programs in progress and garnered feedback from the leaders of the Mada'in on the subjects discussed.

Of key interest for those attending was the upcoming elections. Qassim, 9th IA Div.'s commanding general, adamantly declared there would be no rumors of tampering.

"The only people in the polling stations will be the polling workers. My soldiers will not be allowed in the election building," he said, with one exception of providing security if needed. "If the building is the only building in the area, I will have my soldiers on the roof just to make sure they can provide security."

To further reduce the chance or appearance of tampering or signs of coercion, special provisions have been made to allow Iraqi security forces to vote on Jan. 28, said Qassim.

Throughout the conference, members of the 2nd BCT briefed those attending on the status of projects under way as well as future initiatives to fulfill the requests of the local leaders.

Maj. Jason Joose, of Attica, N.Y., who serves as the executive officer for TF 2-6, said the emphasis of the task force has shifted from community structural resources, such as hospitals and parks, to natural resources.

"This year, our focus has shifted to a vital resource, and that vital resource is water: both drinking water and irrigation water," he said.

Following the presentations provided by task force leaders, the provincial reconstruction team and IA leaders, the floor was open to discussions and questions.

Maj. David Raugh, of Altoona, Pa., executive officer of TF 1-35, said that the two current projects in his area of responsibility had been requested, approved and implemented by local government agencies and contractors. He said his MND-B team has served primarily as facilitators, helping where needed and providing guidance on how to keep the various moving parts of the process moving.

Ultimately, the meeting served as a demonstration for community leaders to see and hear how their government was working on important issues as Iraqis continue to take the lead and coalition forces help facilitate and coordinate. The Mada'in Council took responsibility for the current and future projects while addressing the vital issue of providing appropriate security for the upcoming elections.

• Date Taken: 01.25.2009
• Date Posted: 01.25.2009 16:46
• Story ID: 29234
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ