MND-B commander meets with leaders of Babil province

Photo By Michael Molinaro | FOB KALSU, Iraq--Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, commander, Multi-Natioanl Division-Baghdad, talks to sheiks and Iraqi security force leaders during a meeting Monday at the Babylon Iraqi police academy in Hillah. The leaders discussed the current state of the security sitaution in the Babil province, one of four provinces Thurman's forces command. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Michael Molinaro, 2nd BCT PAO, 4ID.)  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

06.10.2006

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FOB KALSU, Iraq " Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commander, Multi-National Division " Baghdad, made a visit to the Babil province to talk about the region's security Monday at the Babil Police academy in Hillah.

Maj. Gen. Qais Hamza, Babil provincial police chief, Col. Hatem, commander, 2nd Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, and more than 100 sheiks representing various tribes throughout Babil invited Thurman and Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., to the meeting to hear Thurman's plans for stabilizing the area.

"I appreciate the chance to sit down with these leaders and assess the situation in Babil," Thurman remarked.

Qais opened the meeting by telling the sheiks and those in attendance that the Babil province has a good security situation and is in much better shape than other provinces in Iraq. He stated that it was up to everyone in the room to continue the progress in the region.

Thurman then took over the discussion and explained to everyone his duties and responsibilities as commander of MND-B, including being in command of more than 61,000 Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, overseeing four provinces, meeting with provincial governors and chairmen and discussing ways to improve the IP with members of the Ministry of Interior.

Terrorism, sectarianism, armed groups and militias, and criminal groups were the four reasons Thurman gave as to why violence exists in Iraq. He told the audience the goal of Coalition Forces is to help the Iraqis live in a state of security and not have the threat of terrorism or violence.

Disputes are solved through dialogue and the political process, like the meeting held today, Thurman said. There is no reason for the end result to be violence.

Unity, security, and prosperity are three key points that would enable Iraq to end the bloodshed and become the peaceful region that it is destined to be, Thurman continued. But to achieve that end state, all three must be in place.

"To have prosperity, you must have security," he said. "To have security, you must have unity."

Unity was the theme driven throughout the meeting by sheiks who spoke after Thurman addressed the crowd. One sheik said that terrorism thrives on sectarianism; it was the duty of all Iraqis to stand as one and prevent terrorism.

"This is our country, and it is ultimately up to us to get rid of terrorism so Coalition Forces can go home and we can enjoy a united Iraq," said another tribal sheik.

Once the meeting adjourned, those in attendance walked over to the dining facility for some traditional Iraqi fare. Some approached Thurman for some frank one-on-one discussion, and he shook hands with many of the leaders and had his photo taken with them.

"Now is the time for all of us to unite, move forward and establish a stable and secure environment for all in Iraq," Thurman said.

• Date Taken: 06.10.2006
• Date Posted: 06.10.2006 11:55
• Story ID: 6783
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ