Regional Security Council nears end of trail

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone | Maj. Elliot Harris and his interpreter attend the fifth Tigris River Valley regional council meeting to listen to issues facing local Iraqi goverments. (photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Petibone, 138th MPAD, Mar 30, 2006.)  

QARA QOSH, IRAQ

04.11.2006

Courtesy Story

345th Public Affairs Detachment

by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Petibone
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

QARA QOSH, Iraq (Mar 30, 2006) - The fifth Tigris River Valley Regional Security Council met to discuss security and governance issues Mar. 30.

Major Elliot Harris, Provincial Reconstruction Team representative, 4th Battalion, 23 Infantry and Maj. Roy Outcelt, team leader, 401st Civil Affairs Team-A, met at the mayor's office with Iraqi district governors, city council members, sheiks, and local police chiefs.

"Coalition Forces will not stay in the area forever, but will not leave until Iraq is stable and strong," Harris said.

According to Harris the past four regional security meetings were established to initiate discussion and bonding between key Coalition Facilitators, civil leaders and Iraqi Security Forces.

Moreover, as CF's have empowered the Iraqi delegation to plan and conduct these regional council meetings, they will begin to only monitor and follow-up for any future regional council meetings.

Rozaky opened the meeting with an overall "good" opinion of the present security situation around the Tigris River Valley region, but as he opened up the meeting for discussion, there were some sharply opposite views expressed.

Leaders in attendance discussed the problem of routes where IED's were found when delegates attended past meetings, and that the number of incidences has increased from the last meeting.

Discussion also centered on the village of Jiran and its perception of being a center for anti-Iraqi forces and insurgency. Mayor Khalif, sub-district mayor from Hammam Al Alil, stated that the 23rd Inf. has conducted numerous patrols and operations in the village, but insurgents always seem to be tipped off and departed the area.

Members in the meeting voiced concern about a security breach that led to the tip-offs.

Discussion concluded with expressing distrust in the new Iraqi government. There were concerns that members of the new National Government who reside outside of Iraq even though they hold influential positions in the government, should reside within the provinces that they work.

• Date Taken: 04.11.2006
• Date Posted: 04.11.2006 07:51
• Story ID: 5991
• Location: QARA QOSH, IQ