Courtesy Photo | Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - An interpreter translates for a speaker at the Tigris...... read more read more
SGT RACHEL BRUNE 101ST SUSTAINMENT BDE
26 DECEMBER 2005
Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - With the elections for the Iraqi National Assembly completed, Regional Security Council attendees from the Tigris River Valley turned their attention to quality-of-life issues during the meeting Dec. 26 here.
Several speakers, including Brig. Gen. Wathik, Mosul Chief of Police, and Brig. Gen. Khalif, commander of the new Joint Coordination Center here, highlighted the continuing need for strong security measures.
The Iraqi army and police forces, coalition and other security forces maintained strong coordination to provide a good security situation during the elections, said Wathik.
"We need this coordination to continue between the sheiks and security forces," said Wathik through an interpreter. "If we do that, we will be the victors over the terrorists."
The newly opened JCC is based on Q-West to facilitate communication and coordination between the TRV Iraqi and coalition forces, as well as another Center in Mosul, which opened June 23, 2004. Khalif explained the Center's mission and posted a hotline for local people to call regarding terrorist activity in the area.
Lt. Col. Scott Wuestner, Task Force Thunder commander, was the voice of the coalition, listing several combined operations and successes in the TRV throughout the elections period, such as 28 individuals including five terror cell leaders detained.
"This success is critical to your safety," said Wuestner. He spoke sharply of towns which continue to allow terrorists safe haven.
"I need your help to talk to these leaders and show them what peace and prosperity [can accomplish]," said Wuestner.
Wuestner announced the opportunity to establish an Iraqi Police Academy at Q-West. Currently, many police candidates complete a two-week orientation course here before traveling to Jordan for a full 11-week course.
The proposed program would graduate 250 new Iraqi Police from each 11-week course.
On the employment front, Wuestner announced 2nd and 3rd Divisions, Iraqi army, are currently hiring soldiers and officers.
In the past two months, the local mayors created 470 short-term jobs through various clean-up projects and established a contract to build a road around Qayyarah. The road will allow military vehicles to travel around the village.
After the council opened the floor to the attendees, several spoke regarding the recent hike in benzene prices.
"[The hike] was done to meet [International Monetary Fund] requirements as Iraq moves forward in the world's economy," said Wuestner.
"Qayyarah now looks like a city with a curfew," said local sheik, Mahmoud. He added, the raise in price affected all petrochemical products, as well as the prices of services in the area including butcher shops, teachers and health care.
Wuestner encouraged Mahmoud to work with the local mayors to resolve the situation.
Mohammed, Qayyarah electricity manager, spoke regarding a local power crisis with the Tal Ashir power station. Power in the TRV is stretched due to the high usage of electricity with the onset of colder weather.
The spike in usage strains the capacity of the station and the power station rotates the connections of power in order to connect all of the villages. The power station is trying to supply a larger area than the original design intended, said Mohammed.
In addition, the station's equipment is old and the power grid and lines are not large enough to service the entire area, added Wuestner.
"[The problem] is not going to be solved tomorrow," said Wuestner. He encouraged the local mayors to work together to establish a rotation system or other solution to the power situation.
| Date Taken: | 12.26.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 01.04.2006 11:03 |
| Story ID: | 4267 |
| Location: | QAYYARAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 196 |
| Downloads: | 50 |
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