CAMP CROPPER, Iraq - Dignitaries of the government of Iraq and key leaders of United States Forces - Iraq met at the Iraqi corrections officer dining facility to discuss the future of the internment facility at Camp Cropper, Iraq, April 23.
The Cropper Theater Interment Facility Transfer Conference was the first meeting to discuss contracts, infrastructure and other issues relevant to the facility, which is slated to be transferred to the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and government of Iraq in July.
The facility at Camp Cropper is the last theater detention facility operated by U.S. forces in Iraq.
Maj. Gen. Jerry Cannon, U.S. Forces-Iraq deputy commanding general for detainee operations and provost marshal general, welcomed the dignitaries and outlined the focus of the conference.
"What we hope to accomplish is that you open the door, you receive this information, and leave with great appreciation and understanding of the complexity of running Camp Cropper. It is important to plan way ahead so there are no surprises," Cannon said.
Cannon has been working with Dara Noor Al-Deen, Iraqi minister of justice, to establish a joint effort and plan follow-up conferences before the turnover of the TIF to Iraqi authorities.
"Four committees must be appointed by Mr. Dara in order to become the backbone of our subcommittees that are working between our conferences," Cannon said. "One will talk about engineering issues; another will talk about personnel and staffing issues and how to manage detainees; and another will work on the real estate property involved in Camp Cropper," the general added.
The conference addressed the essential points of running a detention facility and the legal transfer of custody of detainees. The current TIF has life support and logistical functions, medical care for detainees, and staff to support operations. The Iraqi government must be able to assume these responsibilities, as well as the corrections officer facilities.
The overview of the TIF transfer concluded with a luncheon and a tour of the Cropper grounds with Col. John Huey, commander of the 89th Military Police Brigade, who offered a first-hand look at the establishment. Officials walked through the compound and were able to see some of the current programs offered to help detainees become self-sufficient and reintegrate into society upon release. Programs include Arabic and basic English language studies, computer training, art, sewing and other services.
"Our main goal is to work with the government of Iraq – the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Defense – in order to turn Camp Cropper over by mid-July," Huey said.
"We got to see how important it is to plan," said Katahem Bazoon Mohammed Al-Taie, Iraqi deputy chief prosecutor-judge. "There was good communication between the U.S. and Iraq, and all our questions were answered. This is just the beginning of our future plans for the facility," he said. "This [transfer] will not happen unless everyone helps each other."
Another conference is planned for mid-May.
| Date Taken: |
04.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
05.20.2010 20:24 |
| Story ID: |
50026 |
| Location: |
CAMP CROPPER, IQ |
| Web Views: |
281 |
| Downloads: |
192 |
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