CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Multi-National Division-Baghdad troops helped facilitate a town hall meeting in Falahat, Iraq, June 29, that included the participation of a large number of area tribal sheiks, concerned citizens and city council members.
Soldiers from D Battery, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment observed as local villagers addressed their concerns and issues to local city government officials.
According to Anchorage, Alaska native Capt. Martin Wohlgemuth, commander of the battery, the village has been making strides in improving security and the meeting marked a time for villagers to come together and discuss how they wish to move forward with rebuilding their village.
"The tribes basically have been coming together and they kicked al-Qaida out of their area which was a major victory for the people here. We hope this kind of cooperation continues to spread throughout Iraq," said Wohlgemuth, adding that the people are hoping now to concentrate on essential service projects and things such as creating youth centers for their children.
As reconciliation moves forward in Falahat, villagers suggested that they would like to hold additional meetings with the Sunni and Shia living in neighboring villages to discuss how to keep terrorists out of their neighborhoods.
Other key topics of discussion at the meeting were electricity and fuel, both major concerns to residents. To help curb the cost of fuel, people in the village have been buying it in a collective and distributing it amongst themselves, said Wohlgemuth.
"This is just another good example of people coming together and solving an Iraqi problem with an Iraqi solution," he added.
| Date Taken: |
06.29.2007 |
| Date Posted: |
07.02.2007 11:31 |
| Story ID: |
11071 |
| Location: |
TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: |
439 |
| Downloads: |
404 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Soldiers facilitate town hall meeting in Falahat, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Subscribe
