Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy | Dr. Ahmed Chalabi speaks to the hundreds of sheiks and other locals from the south...... read more read more
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By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Throngs of Iraqi key political leaders gathered at the home of Abid Hassan Saloom in Sadr Yusufiyah, Dec. 6, to discuss the future of Iraq.
The theme of the meeting was "Put the Law Back in Iraq" and it was attended by a multitude of prominent community leaders, Iraqi security forces and Iraqi army officials. Of note were Dr. Ahmed Chalabi, former leader of the Iraqi national congress, Sheik Somar, Yusufiyah nahia council president, 4th Iraqi army brigade commander Brig. Gen. Ali Jassim Mohammed Hassen Al-Frejee, Sheik Halal Al Hemdawni, as well as representatives from the Mahmudiyah council and the chief of the Mahmudiyah Iraqi police.
An estimated 1,000 leaders from various sectors listened to several speakers talk about what it will take to achieve a safe, secure Iraq and discuss other reconciliation issues and the rebuilding of Iraq.
"Today's governance meeting provided a forum for local leadership to interact with the government of Iraq – an entity which has been noticeably absent within the area," said Capt. Ryan Bulger, intelligence officer for 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). The unit provided security for the event, along with the Iraqi army.
As the keynote speaker, Chalabi addressed topics that weigh heavily on the people of Iraq. He said it is very important to get every displaced Iraqi back to his home.
Too many families have had to grieve the loss of their sons and Chalabi said security is a priority. "We need everyone here to feel like he is a part of government; this is our government," he said, explaining that locals are key in securing Iraq's future. "The government must support the people."
Chalabi said he recognizes that obtaining the desired goals will be no easy feat, but said the people of Iraq deserve to have their requests answered.
Other issues addressed were the need for cell phone towers in the area, the importance of freedom of movement, the need to support the Iraqi army and the attempt to complete the Yusifiyah Thermal Power Plant. Completion of the power plant would yield approximately 5,000 jobs.
Chalabi gave his word to take the concerns voiced at the meeting to "high-ranking officials in Baghdad."
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2007 13:22 |
| Story ID: | 14576 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 94 |
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