Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Local reporters listen as Col. Butch Kievenaar, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq — Col. Butch Kievenaar, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, held a press conference with local media at the Basra Operations Center, July 8.
Kievenaar answered questions covering a number of topics, with the primary focus on the brigade's role after the Security Agreement.
"We are not here to conduct combat operations and we have not conducted any since our arrival. Everything we do is with [and] in support of your security forces. My brigade and I are committed to fully supporting the Security Agreement," said Kievenaar.
Currently, the brigade has turned over two patrol bases in June to the Iraqi police, he said.
"You've had a chance to observe our operations in this province for the last two months and the people of Basra have seen what we're trying to do. We've been partnered with your security forces and provincial government since May 1. Everything we do is in coordination with the leaders of this province," said Kievenaar.
"We are here to help train and partner with the Iraqi army, police and the Department of Border Enforcement, as well as work closely with your provincial government to improve the basic services here in Basra," said Kievenaar.
"Some of our Soldiers remain in a few locations inside the city at the request of your security forces, to continue our partnership and train from these combined command and control centers," continued Kievenaar. "There are no combat forces operating or living within the city of Basra."
Those locations are predominately with the Iraqi Army both at the 50th and 53rd IA headquarters.
"I have talked with the governor and all the leadership in Basra extensively about these locations. We are only in these remaining locations because we were asked to stay; to train and provide enablers for the security forces," said Kievenaar.
He said there are less than 200 U.S. Soldiers working in joint operation centers throughout the city of Basra, at the request of the Iraqi military and government leaders.
Outside of the city, U.S. Soldiers are continuing to train ISF.
"When you see us moving through the city, it is either to visit leaders to talk about the challenges that they face or to conduct training with the security forces that they have requested or to check on projects that we have ongoing in the city to help improve essential services for the citizens of Basra," said Kievenaar.
He highlighted ongoing essential service projects funded by the U.S. government in the province for electricity, water, sewage and trash.
"These projects are all designed to improve the quality of life for the people of Basra. These projects have all been coordinated with your government and the [director generals] for each of the areas of responsibility," said Kievenaar.
So far, $12.3 million has been allocated for electricity. New electrical substations have been or are being completed and will provide more consistent power to the citizens of Basra, but work is still ongoing to establish proper installation of cables to distribute that power to individual residences and businesses. Currently, much of the wiring delivering power to homes is faulty, eating up more power than was intended. But he assured the people that the brigade is working with the local government to continue to work on the power issue.
There has been $8.2 million allocated for improving water quality and distribution and $10 million for trash removal, including picking up masses of scrap metal, providing the city with trash collection services and cleaning up the canals, said Kievenaar.
In the two months of operating in Basra, the brigade has completed projects worth more than $13 million out of a total of close to $62 million, which has been allocated for current ongoing projects and projects that are planned but have not yet started, said Kievenaar.
"We have to look at a project when it is at 40 percent complete, 80 percent complete and when it is done, we make payments. That requires us to physically go to that location to make sure the work is being completed. With our brigade having 103 current active projects, it requires us to go out almost every day to look at one of the projects and make sure it is in compliance," said Kievenaar.
"These Soldiers are validating the work of the contractors and making sure the contractors get paid. All of their movements in the city are coordinated with both the Iraqi security forces and the Basra Operations Command and are for the purposes of supporting your government, your security forces and the people of Iraq."
He said since the brigade's arrival, the governor was adamant about enforcing standards for the work done in the reconstruction and building projects. Both U.S. elements and members of the director generals of Basra conduct inspections to ensure quality control on projects conducted by local contractors before the contractors can be paid. This helps to ensure that the money goes where it is supposed to.
"For what we've done in the last two months, I am confident that for the money that is being spent, we are getting the product that we're supposed to," said Kievenaar.
"While these projects are assisting the people of Basra, there is still a lot of work to do," said Kievenaar, adding that huge strides have been made since the brigade began reconstruction projects in May.
By hiring local contractors which employ local laborers, money spent on the reconstruction projects also filters back into the community, stimulating the economy.
Kievenaar said he is optimistic about the future of the local economy, especially with the stable security situation and ongoing reconstruction projects supported by the provincial government.
"The economy is going to require your provincial government and your national government to get that really moving. There's not much that we can do here but help with essential services. It's going to take an outside investment. What they're looking for is a secure place, a clean place and a place that they can then invest in and make a return. I think Basra is well on the way to doing that."
He also highlighted humanitarian missions conducted with the ISF and coordinated with the local government, such as distribution of ice to citizens during the hot summer months, distribution of 30-day food sustainment packets to families, and training hospital staff members on updated neonatal resuscitation techniques to lower the high infant mortality rate of Basra.
The media also asked Kievenaar about the border security of the country.
"The border is the focus right now for security operations. We're working very closely with the [Ministry of Interior] and [Ministry of Defense] in terms of making sure we have the right resources and equipment to protect the borders of Iraq. While the government of Iraq is procuring the equipment that is required, we're using our equipment, in partnership with the border enforcement forces, to help them learn how to do the reconnaissance and defend your border," said Kievenaar.
"They are partnered with the [Iraqi] battalions out there and conduct joint missions and help train the border agents," he said. The brigade has been working with the border agency to prevent the flow of arms and weapons into Basra, including training police and coastal border guards on using new equipment that the GoI is beginning to provide for the patrolling of river traffic, he said.
"Your security forces are very good and they are providing the security for the people of Basra. We assist them by providing them with tools that they don't yet have, in terms of reconnaissance platforms, [military] intelligence and helicopters. We are not here to do combat operations anymore, but if we are asked by the government of Iraq to help, we will help. But it will be in support of your security forces," continued Kievenaar.
"The enemy has tried to put pressure on your security forces but the security forces have detained many individuals and successfully disrupted many of their operations, thereby keeping this province safe and secure."
"Your security forces, on a daily basis, are conducting operations and apprehending those who threaten your security." He said that the ISF have found and diffused many roadside bombs, discovered many enemy caches, detained many suspects with warrants and disrupted kidnapping attempts. "I encourage the people of Basra to continue to contact the ISF with information on criminal activity so that your security forces can continue to keep Basra safe."
"I am absolutely confident that they can provide security for Basra, both now and in the future. Unlike other provinces in Iraq, your security forces have been providing security day in and day out for the people of Basra for many months, not just since June 30. The current security situation that the people enjoy here in Basra, is all due to them," concluded Kievenaar.
| Date Taken: | 07.08.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2009 10:15 |
| Story ID: | 36302 |
| Location: | BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 279 |
| Downloads: | 239 |
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