Sheiks meet with 2nd BCT commander

Photo By Michael Molinaro | FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - Brig. Gen. Qais Hamza, Babil provincial police chief, and Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, meet with local sheiks Jan. 22. The topics of the meeting were security and potential project building in the Babil province.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

01.27.2006

Courtesy Story

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By Pfc. Michael A. Molinaro

2nd BCT PAO, 4th ID

FOB KALSU, Iraq -- Local tribal leaders of the Babil province met here Jan. 22 to discuss issues and concerns within the community.

Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Iraqi Brig. Gen. Qais Hamza, Babil provincial police chief, took the opportunity to discuss security and project building in the area with more than 15 sheiks.

This event marks the first time a meeting of this caliber was organized since the Warhorse brigade assumed responsibility of the area earlier this month.

"Our main mission is to help the Iraqi army and police establish security in the Babil province," said Tully, in his opening statement to the forum.

The central and southern parts of the province have seen steady progress over the past three years, and the desire is that the north can soon catch up with the rest of the province, said Sheik Taha Al Janabi. The security there is still in question and it's anticipated that the pressure being put on terrorists by 2nd BCT Soldiers will result in stability in the area.

Most of the sheiks spoke about the security and how it was important to continue to strive for a good life in Iraq, said Chief Warrant Officer Desi Roberts, information officer, 2nd BCT. Several of them discussed the need for water and road projects and school refurbishment in their tribal area.

With security comes stability, and with stability come investments, projects and jobs, Tully said. He asked the leaders, who have great influence with their villagers, to tell people to stop attacking Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces so stability can materialize.

"Iraqis have accomplished much in the past year and have much to be proud of," he said. "Every day, more and more Iraqis want to be part of the new government."

Democracy was a success when we had it in the 1940s, and it was a good era in Iraq history, said Sheik Kader Abass Shided. The spate of elections in 2005 renews hope that those times are on the horizon.

Both Tully and Qais explained to the sheiks how to contact the appropriate people to discuss any problems or issues they may have. Qais set a time when sheiks could come to his office and voice concerns, and Tully talked about bases and battalion leaders in the region available to offer assistance to anyone who needs it.

The group agreed to continue these meetings in the future in order to help move nation and its people in a positive direction.

• Date Taken: 01.27.2006
• Date Posted: 01.27.2006 09:34
• Story ID: 5225
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ