Courtesy Photo | Brig. Gen. Edward Cardon, deputy commander of support for Multi-National Division -...... read more read more
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Capt. Allison Flannigan, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The government of Iraq's Joint Rural Planning Committee chairman, Subhi Mashhedani, visited Mahmudiyah Qada to discuss essential service projects and cooperation between all levels of government March 10.
The Rakkasans of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) facilitated the two-part meeting held at the Iraqi Army compound in Mahmudiyah and the thermal power plant in Abu Farris.
Brig. Gen. Edward Cardon, deputy commander of support for Multi-National Division - Center, also attended the meeting along with representatives from the Baghdad provincial reconstruction team and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
The goal of the meeting was for the GoI to demonstrate to the people that it is concerned with their wellbeing and to re-engage them in the political process, said Rusty Barber, chief of party for USIP's Baghdad field office.
"The hope," Barber said, "is this type of congregation will encourage the process of engagement between tribal structure, local government and central government so they can bring reconstruction to this area, identify priorities and actually improve the economic conditions."
Maj. Robert Bertrand, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT), civil military operations officer, said Mashhedani's visit was a step toward ensuring local citizens' needs were met.
"Linking the provincial government with the local people is a critical step in providing the essential services to the people in this important area," Bertrand said. "Today's engagement is truly a miracle as, one year ago today, this community was at war with each other and the coalition forces."
Following speeches by Mashhedani, Cardon and several local leaders, all the attendees partook in a traditional Iraqi meal.
| Date Taken: | 03.10.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.11.2008 18:35 |
| Story ID: | 17267 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 196 |
| Downloads: | 177 |
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