Thread: Iraq/Dinar News. 09/05 to 01/14/07

President of the Republic : we look forward to developing relations with Bulgaria

(Voice of Iraq) - 12 - 13-2006
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The Republic of Iraq
The Office of the President
Press Office
News : President of the Republic : we look forward to developing relations with Bulgaria in all areas, including military
December 12, 2006


Cross President Jalal Talabani, thanked the Bulgarian government to assist in the liberation of Iraq, and added, during a joint press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanichev, on Tuesday 12-12-2006, "We offered to the Bulgarian Prime Minister summary of the situation in Iraq, and hoped to develop relations with Bulgaria in all areas, including military, as we exchanged views on the issues," emphasizing the depth of the friendly relations between the two countries.
In contrast, the Bulgarian Prime Minister, who was received by the President in his headquarters in Baghdad, that the goal of the two countries, and one is seeing an Iraq that is secure, united and democratic, and said, "The presence of the government delegation in Baghdad, proof of the political support for the democratic forces in your country and seeking to establish security and stability, it is a decisive moment in the country and that Iraq's future in your hands."
Stanichev and stressed that the multinational forces in Iraq to provide assistance, it can not replace the political will of Iraq, and said that "what I heard from the President Talabani on the relentless pursuit of the democratic forces in Iraq to save the country was encouraging, and that it is necessary to queue moderates of the Shiite, Sunni and Kurds, to isolate extremists."
He also Bulgarian Prime Minister expressed his country's desire to cooperate with Iraq, pointing out that Bulgaria received in the past thousands of Iraqi students, and is now granted scholarships to the Iraqi scientific institutions, and is also working on the training of officers from the Iraqi army, and also stressed that there would be economic cooperation between the two countries in the future.

F response to a question a press, President Talibani his objections on the report of Baker-Hamilton, and emphasized that the Political Council of the national security was decided to form a committee to study the report, in addition to the discussed by committees in the Council of Deputies, and explained, saying, "We objected to 7 points in the report and are Affecting the the Constitution Party and the national independence, and the achievements of the the Iraqis including the holding of three elections outcome of the the formation of the House of Representatives and the government f of the Presidency, as well as we had objected to develop foreign officers in each unit of the Iraqi army, and we had objected also on the two themes of intervention space and the Ba'thists Sadamiin. We accept assistance but the resolution will be, however, the people, and when I am elected President of the Republic, vowed to maintain the Constitution and Ason him. "

And with regard to Article (140) of the Iraqi Constitution, the President of the Republic that our objection to the statement on the report of the Baker-Hamilton due to the fact that the constitutionality of this article, we can not ignore and that the Iraqi parliament is the right of any amendment after the referendum, pointing at the same time there are positive aspects in the report.

Internally Displaced People in Need Food, Water
By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
12 December 2006

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Paralyzed woman crawls out of a tent at a shelter for internally displaced people in Baghdad's Shi'ite neighborhood Kazimiyah, 6 Oct 2006
The International Organization for Migration reports thousands of people who fled violence in central Iraq for the relative safety of a poor southern region are barely managing to survive. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from IOM headquarters in Geneva.

These vulnerable people are among some 300,000 who have fled the violence in Iraq.

The International Organization for Migration says the thousands of Iraqis who have arrived in the southern region of Missan since February are living in relative peace. But, it says nearly 30 percent of those surveyed say they do not have regular access to clean water. In addition, many of the displaced Iraqis say food assistance is irregular and not sufficient.

IOM spokesman Jean-Philippe Chauzy says another problem is fuel, which is expensive or unavailable. He expects many people will have difficulty in the winter when fuel is essential for heating and cooking.

He says the situation is particularly bleak for female-headed households.

"Women do not have access to work. The social networks that existed in the past to
Iraqi boy holds a portrait of a killed relative during a protest by displaced Sunnis in Baghdad's al-Adil neighborhood, 10 Dec 2006
assist single-headed households, widows, have broken down," he said. "We also know that a lot of those, particularly vulnerable who were taken in by families or the extended family, that those family bonds are breaking down under the pressure."

The U.N. Children's Fund notes female-headed households are increasing throughout the country as a consequence of the escalating violence. Spokesman Michael Bociurkiw says 11 percent of Iraqi households are headed by women.

He says that number is sure to climb as more and more men get killed.

"The Iraq Red Crescent and other NGO's [non-governmental organizations] have reported a significant increase since mid-2006 in the number of women seeking help to feed their children after being widowed, particularly in Baghdad and the south-central zone," explained Bociurkiw. "We are also seeing as a result of increasing poverty, in urban Iraq especially, street children are an increasingly a visible phenomenon."

Bociurkiw says education also is severely hit, especially for girls. He says one-fifth of Iraqi girls were not enrolled in primary school in 2004 and that number continues to go up. He says schools are affected by sectarian violence and girls' schools often are singled out for special threats.

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Kurdish political parties unite in rejecting its content

(Voice of Iraq) - 12 - 13-2006
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Political parties unite Kurdish position in rejecting the content of the report of the Baker-Hamilton


Irbil / Fouad Othman : to break with a unified political discourse on the report of the Baker-Hamilton, the political offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party and representatives of the government of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan parliament and Kurdish parties yesterday Holier Plaza Hotel in the city of Irbil. The meeting was attended by Messrs. d. Arslan Baez, a member of the political bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Fadhil Merani secretary of the political bureau of the Democratic Party of Kurdistan, Omar Fatah Vice President of the government of the Kurdistan region and is capable Aziz representative of the President of the Kurdistan region to follow up the implementation of Article 140 of the normalization of the situation in Kirkuk and regions withheld from the province and a number of members of the Kurdistan parliament and the heads and members of the Kurdish parties, Turkmen, Assyrians and Chaldeans.


It was at the meeting discussed views on the Baker-Hamilton and decides to deal with the Kurdish parties in the diplomatic, flexible and balanced development of media discourse and organization comprehensive campaign to collect signatures and submit them to the United States and all parties concerned.

Following the end of the meeting were Messrs. Dr. Fadil Merani. Arslan Baez light on the outcome of the meeting where Mr. Arslan Baez, a member of the political bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan : we are not the only ones unhappy with the report, there were in the Iraqi government and some of the Iraqi parties and a large section of the House Iraqi and some international parties, regional and even the American administration showed their displeasure at the report because they do not see a realistic, more particularly, with regard to the territory of Kurdistan, because the authors of the report had not visited Kurdistan originally did not listen to the views of the political leadership Kurdish Therefore, we do not see realistic.

Fortunately, there is an agreement between the parties that we are trying seriously to deliver the facts to the world and that the composition of delegations and sent to America and the European and regional levels.
Merani said that the meeting came the invitation of the President of the Kurdistan region in order to consolidate the views and positions between the parties and the political parties on the Baker-Hamilton. And he said : it is clear to the fact that the position of-Kurd, and the majority of the Iraqis can be summed up in the refusal of the content of the report also came in the statement issued by the Presidency of the Territory and which enjoyed the support of the President of the Republic, and added : We know that our people was dissatisfied of the report and we know that this report not by any obliging of the Iraqi government and American and that the report in which inter contradictions do not serve the nor solve the problems of the Iraqis but even compounded that he plan marginalizes the political steps the positive in Iraq spheres as elections and the formation of government and the parliament, in which it merged the interests of neighboring States that each of them own agenda in in the region and which contradict with each other.
He added : Merani presentation at the meeting a number of suggestions and recommendations are in the rejection of the report is scheduled to meet Wednesday (today), Dr. Arslan Baez with partisan and governmental channels for a work schedule for the treatment of the case with the media, in the end, he said Merani, with the presence of differences on the content of the report except that everyone agrees on the rejection of the report.
European البغداديه

Originally Posted by willie 2

Karinc, I don't understand? You've had 365 days to prepare. I don't know your circumstances and it is really none of my business. However it is not to late to make something with your hands. It is usually these types of gifts that mean more to people than some store bought item. This is a great time to teach your child some good lessons in life to live by. Character does matter. God Bless you and your family.

Gee. I was going to write a sort of funny bit about dragging my heels out the door on my way to work on the bankruptcy papers, (if you look up "ordeal" in the dictionary, it will direct you to "Bankruptcy papers...) , my fingers clutching at the computer and whimpering, "ok, I'm going nooooooow, I'm gooooing nooooow......you can say something wonderful.....nooooooow....." but it looks like it could be a dangerous thing. 365 days ago if you'd told me I would be in this financial disaster I would have laughed the house down. Things happen, and quickly sometimes. It's nice to make things yes, basement boxes are full of them don't you know, and I betcha our Karin has plenty of character. God bless us all everyone, indeed.

New parliamentary block to emerge but hopes of end to violence still faint



Azzaman, December 12, 2006



It seems Iraqi politicians are working hard to show that they are responding to demands from the United States to put their house in order in the aftermath of the Baker-Hamilton report.



Senior Iraqi politicians and rebel leaders fighting U.S. troops have both rejected the report’s findings.



Nonetheless Iraqi leaders have apparently decided to take an initiative in a bid seen to forestall pressure from U.S. occupiers for drastic changes.



Azzaman has learned that Iraqi factions would like to enter into a new coalition that will force Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki introduce a major cabinet reshuffle.



Major Kurdish, Shiites and Sunni factions would like to come together to exclude the powerful parliamentary block of the radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on whose support the current government relies in order to survive.



The move, the analysts say, will be announced shortly after U.S. President George Bush makes his new Iraq policy public.



But the analysts said excluding any major faction through the formation of new alliances is bound to even further exacerbate conditions in the violence-torn country.



Sadr has one of the most powerful militias in Iraq. Known as Mahdi Army, the militias could defeat Iraqi troops easily in encounters in southern Iraq.



They have also launched two major uprisings against U.S. troops which have so far failed to check their rising power and influence in Baghdad, the oil-rich city of Kirkuk and most of southern Iraq.



The analysts said chances of any policy to succeed remain slim unless Iraqi resistance groups and Iraq’s neighbors, namely Iran, are left out.



The U.S. does not seem to be interested in opening direct talks with Iran and Syria. On the contrary, it is increasing pressure on their governments and at the same time asking them to help it win the war in Iraq.



Iraqi analysts described the policy as “childish and stupid.”



One analyst said, “No country and no group would help the U.S. to get out of its Iraqi quagmire for free. There must be some incentives.”



It is not clear whether the parties forming the new coalition will be willing to boost the powers of the central government as they themselves have their own powerful militias which are even better armed than Iraqi troops.

Published: 13/12/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)

Arab League tries to get all groups for peace meeting
By Basil Adas, Correspondent



Baghdad: The Arab League is mediating to get Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq to take part in the national reconciliation conference, scheduled to be held on December 16.

Mokhtar Lamani, the Arab League's envoy in Iraq, met the leader of the Sunni association Harith Al Dhari in Amman and discussed with him the political and security situations in Iraq.

Naseer Al Ani, a leader of Islamic Party, told Gulf News: "The Sunni Accordance Front has agreed to participate in the conference aimed at stemming the sectarian violence engulfing the country."

He denied any differences between the Islamic Party and the National Dialogue Council about the conference. The party has agreed to take part in the conference regardless of who the participants are, Al Ani said.

Adnan Al Dulaimi, leader of Iraqi Accordance Front, and Khalaf Al Ulayan, leader of National Dialogue Council, insist on the participation of prominent leaders of the dissolved Baath Party and Sunni armed groups.

"There is a political debate by the Iraqi government and parliament on the identity of the conference participants," Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish leader, said.

The conference should not be confined to the political powers that are already engaged in the political process.

"If the conference is restricted to political groups being involved in the political process, it would not constitute a positive development," Othman said.

"If the Iraqi government is serious about the success of the conference, all political powers, including opponents to the US occupation and the political process, should be involved," Othman said.

Hasan Al Sari, Minister of State, said the government has succeeded in contacting some Sunni armed groups which will participate in the conference.

These groups are not influential and their participation could lead to the conference's failure in stemming growing violence, he said.

The Shiite Alliance led by Abdul Aziz Al Hakim has taken a strict stand against the participation of Baathists. Al Hakim is the leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution.

Hamid Al Mualla, a leader of the council, said: "Any reconciliation with Baathists poses a serious threat to the future of the political process, because it allows the dissolved party to return to power."

Some sources close to Fadhil Merani, Secretary of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, said the United States and Kurdistan are now applying pressure on the Shiite Alliance to accept the participation of Baathist and leaders of armed group.

Prior to the conference, the Baath leadership issued a statement attacking the conference and participants. Despite the tight security measures taken by the government ahead of the conference, violence is likely to continue.

Statement on the Situation Concerning Iraq

Mr. President,

There have been a number of important developments in this reporting period. We welcome the Security Council's unanimous adoption of Resolution 1723 to extend the Multinational Force-Iraqi (MNF-I) mandate and the arrangements for the Development Fund for Iraq and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board. The MNF-I continues to play a vital role in the security and stability of Iraq and to work in partnership with Iraqi authorities to support the transition of security responsibility to Iraqi Security Forces. As noted in the Secretary of State's November 17 letter to the Council President in support of the MNF-I mandate, the Government of Iraq and MNF-I have three common goals: Iraqi assumption of recruiting, training, equipping and arming of the Iraqi security forces; Iraqi assumption of command and control over Iraqi forces; and transferring responsibility for security to the Government of Iraq.

The Iraqi Government has made progress on its ambitious reform agenda. On October 10, the Iraqi Council of Representatives (CoR) adopted a new foreign investment law. The CoR also passed a federal regions law on October 11 that will allow Iraq's provinces to hold referenda to merge themselves into larger federal regions. This law is to come into effect in 2008. In addition, a Constitutional Review Committee was established on September 25 to explore options for amending the Iraqi constitution.

Progress continues as well on the International Compact with Iraq, an Iraqi initiative to create a new partnership with the international community and build a strong framework for Iraq's continued political, security and economic transformation and integration into the regional and global economy. The final Preparatory meeting took place in Kuwait on October 31, and the Compact was endorsed unanimously by the Iraqi Council of Ministers on November 26. This Compact is expected to be finalized by early next year, we hope, with broad and active international support.

Despite progress on these fronts, security remains a grave concern. Sunni insurgent attacks against the Iraqi Security Forces and MNF-I remain at high levels, and the forces continue to experience attacks from armed Shia groups, especially in the Baghdad region. At the same time, sectarian violence, much of it directed toward civilians, has increased.

Security Situation

Mr. President, insurgents, extremists and terrorists continue their attacks. The ongoing violence continues to take a toll on the country and its people. The number of attacks increased 22 percent over this reporting period, attributed in part to a spike in violence during Ramadan. Fifty-four percent of all attacks occurred in 2 of Iraq's 18 provinces, Baghdad and Anbar, although violence was significant in Diyala province and in the cities of Kirkuk, Mosul, Basrah, Al-Amarah, and Balad. MNF-I and Iraqi Security Forces continued joint efforts to address security in Baghdad and Basra.

More Iraqi units are taking the lead in combat operations against the insurgency. In October the 4th Iraqi Army division planned, coordinated and executed an Iraqi­-controlled, division-level operation in Kirkuk in response to the spike of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devise attacks just prior to and during Ramadan. The operation was the first division-level plan executed under control of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command headquarters.

The rise of sectarian violence has become the greatest threat to security and stability in Iraq. Approximately 80 percent of the sectarian violence in Iraq happens within a 35-mile radius of Baghdad. In response to the worsening situation, Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki announced a four-point plan on October 2 to unite Shia and Sunni parties in his government behind the drive to stop sectarian killings that have plagued the country. The Iraqi Government has also sponsored a series of four reconciliation conferences across Iraq aimed at promoting a national dialogue and soliciting recommendations for action.


Two meetings of tribal leaders and civil society have already taken place. In October, the Organisation for the Islamic Conference hosted a gathering of Sunni and Shiite religious leaders in Mecca, which called for the end to sectarian bloodshed in Iraq.


While infrastructure attacks have decreased, they average one per week and hamper the provision of essential services, such as electrical power, water, and fuel. These ongoing attacks and the difficult security environment are impediments to improving the supply of these essential services. The Iraqi infrastructure will continue to be a high-value target for disruptive elements.

Iraqi Security Forces

Mr. President, the Multinational Force in Iraq continues to train, develop, and contribute to the capabilities and readiness of Iraqi Security Forces. Iraq is making progress in building security forces that are capable of independently combating insurgents and fighting terrorists. The security forces of the Ministry of Defense and Interior continue to increase in size and capability, and are increasingly taking over leadership roles in fighting insurgents and terrorists. On September 21, MNF-I transferred Dhi Qar Province to provincial Iraqi control, putting security responsibility in the hands of the Provincial Governor and his local police force of 10,000. MNF-I continues to support and assist the Iraqi Security Forces as they move toward conducting fully independent operations and achieving security self-reliance.

The number of counter-insurgency operations conducted independently by Iraqi forces as a percentage of total combat operations continues to increase steadily. One hundred and six Iraqi Army and Special Operations battalions and 11 Strategic Infrastructure Battalions are now conducting counter-insurgency operations, with 98 battalions assessed as capable of taking the lead in operations or operating independently.

The Iraqi government, alongside MNF-I, has identified a force structure to maintain a security environment that will provide a basis for transitioning Iraq to security self-reliance. The authorized end-strength force structure of the Armed Forces is 137,500 personnel, including one Iraqi Ground Forces Command, 10 divisions and 36 brigade headquarters, 114 Army and Special Operations Battalions, 17 Strategic Infrastructure Battalions, six Air Force squadrons, three navy squadrons, and 19 combat support battalions.

The Iraq Ministry of Interior, with the assistance of the MNF-I, has begun a multi-phased National Transformation Plan to assess National Police Battalions' current capabilities, reinforce police training, and establish practices for continuing education of the police forces. The end-strength force structure for all Ministry of Interior forces is 188,200 trained and equipped personnel manning two division headquarters, nine brigade headquarters, and 27 combat battalions. The force structure plan is designed to enable a stable civil-security environment that leads to a democratic and representative government, and a prosperous economy.

As of November 13, six Iraqi Army division headquarters, 30 brigade headquarters and 91 battalions have the security lead in their areas of operation. These numbers reflect approximately 70 percent of the Iraqi Army. The MNF-I has transferred 55 of the 110 forward operating bases to Iraqi control.

Mr. President, the United Nations continues to play a crucial role in Iraq's stability and development. The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) is providing important expertise under its mandate, which was extended in August 2006 for another year (UNSCR 1700). Due to security concerns, the UN has recently decided to temporarily reduce staff positions in Baghdad. A robust UNAMI presence remains essential to supporting Iraqi efforts, including on national reconciliation, Constitutional Review and future provincial elections. Also, a UNAMI presence will be crucial in taking forward work on the International Compact, jointly with the Government of Iraq. In addition to Baghdad, the UN has limited representation in Irbil and Basra. MNF-I continues to assist UNAMI and to help UNAMI achieve its goal for a full, robust and secure presence in Iraq.

Multinational Forces, notably the Georgian, Romanian, and South Korean contingents, continue to provide security for the United Nations in Baghdad, Basra, and Irbil, respectively. These troops provide static site security, reconnaissance, security patrols, convoy escorts, checkpoints, and, when necessary, MEDEVAC and emergency evacuation. Contributions to the UN Distinct Entity Trust Fund will ensure continued support for this critical security function. Under a separate UN agreement, Fijian troops also provide static and close-in protection for UN personnel and facilities in Baghdad.

Conclusion

Mr. President, the implementation of Iraq's National Reconciliation Plan will be an important component in the government's efforts to build a united country. Concerted efforts to control the sectarian violence and confront the insurgency remain critically important to Iraq's future. Training and equipping of the Iraqi Security Forces continues, and we anticipate a continued process of transferring security responsibility for specific areas from MNF-I to the Iraqi authorities. MNF-I continues to support the Iraqi government as it prepares to assume full responsibility for the country's security.
Iraq's stability and security is a regional issue, as well as an international issue, and Iraq's neighbors have an important role to play. We call on the entire international community to support Iraq's sovereign government and assist efforts for a democratic, united and prosperous Iraq.

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Iraq has ordered nearly $500 million in vehicles for its military.

Officials said the Iraq Army has relayed a requirement for $463 million worth of U.S. trucks, trailers, ambulances, motorcycles and other vehicles. They said the vehicles would improve mobility of the army and help establish new units.

"This proposed sale supports the Iraqi Prime Minister Al Maliki Initiative to train and equip an additional 30,000 additional Iraqi soldiers to accelerate the transition of combat operations in Iraq from coalition to Iraqi National Forces, and is funded by Iraqi national funds," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

On Dec. 8, the Pentagon agency informed Congress of the proposed sale of equipment that would facilitate the establishment of an Iraqi military brigade headquarters as well as battalions. Officials said Congress was expected to approve the sale to Iraq.

Official sources : Talks between Baghdad and Erbil on the outstanding issues is a positive

Had not been pending points between Baghdad and Erbil and represented the file of article (140) of the Iraqi Constitution System on the Question of the city of Kirkuk the disputed, and the draft investment of oil production, in the Territory, and the proportion of the budget of the government of the Territory from the central budget of the country, beginning with the outbreak of political crisis between the government of the Center and the territorial government, as expected them some quarters; has denied official sources Iraqi the existence of such a crisis or the possibility of it breaks out in the near future, but confirmed the possibility of the collapse of conditions in Iraq if prejudice to the items of the Constitution or raise the ceiling of demands and exit the powers established by the Constitution.
».A Kurdish MP Saad Alborznji on the positive, which are characterized talks between the Iraqi government and the government of Kurdistan region, saying «There is a case of understanding between the two sides as well as the status of the significant progress that took place during the talks on outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil, as claimed claimed by the Kurdistan region devoted to the application of the Constitution and the existing agreements in this regard and is nothing new or novel».

.He told Alborznji «Middle East» that the previous talks and the current between the two governments are in the atmosphere of friendly and fraternal, and the interruption of the talks over the past days was not a result of the failure of the talks, but the existence of a situation that requires the presence of the head of the territorial government, Najirfan Barzani in Irbil, which is now in Baghdad in order to complete the talks and move forward for a final agreement on all outstanding issues between the two parties. The member of the Iraqi parliament that it had been agreed to earlier payment to the province's budget, and to keep 17% of the assessed budget of the Center for the territory as it is, in addition to the progress at the level of a law that regulates the investment of oil and gas through the application of constitutional paragraphs on the subject formula flexible reservation and believes the state of cooperation and coordination between the federal government and the government of the Territory without prejudice to what is contained in the Constitution.

.But the Kurdish leader warned of the consequences of breach of any item of the Constitution, saying «We are committed to the unity of Iraq's land and people, government and sovereignty as long as respect the constitution voted on by the majority of the Iraqi people». He said that the Kurds would not have agreed to abide by the terms of the Constitution in case of breach of the Constitution and rising «This will be Iraq's unity will be threatened and cracked the end of this unit is not expected nor hoped for and we do not want». For his part, the Sami military member of the House on the mass of the United Iraqi Alliance, said that the talks between Baghdad and Erbil is a fraternal environment and an atmosphere of mutual understanding, pointing out that the disputed issues were related to the share of the Kurdistan from the central budget has been resolved. As for the oil and investment, the military said that the problem between the two sides are about to end this matter by agreement between the parties on a specific mechanism to ensure a role for the center, also included the role of the territory within the framework of the Constitution without violating any of the items of the Iraqi constitution.

».The military is close to the Attorney-Maliki that «any demand presented by the Kurds within the ceiling of the constitution is a draft, and any demand outside the powers of the Constitution is a requirement that is rejected, and the Iraqi government happy to meet the constitutional demands, but they can not meet or agree to the demands unconstitutional».

ر.He ruled out military crisis between the two parties, or the possibility of such a crisis might occur between the Baghdad government and the government of Arbil in the event if rejected demands of the Kurds, saying «no crisis at all and could not occur if the Kurdish demands unconstitutional, and that what had occurred was a disagreement over the size of the proceeds and share the territory of the budget, has settled in a positive way and the cause of the oil is about to expire, depending on the wishes of the parties». The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had agreed with the Prime Minister of the government of the Kurdistan region, Najirfan Barzani in the talks that took place late February (February), in Baghdad, the formation of a joint ministerial commission between the government center and the government of the province, on research on the points of disagreement between the two sides, after they discussed ways to strengthen the economic situation and coordination between the bodies concerned in the central government and the territorial government in the areas of finance, economic and reconstruction projects.

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The Concierge of the Battlefield
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
By Tom Clarkson
Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers



BAGHDAD — “That’s what we are. That’s what we do. We are the concierge of the battlefield,” affirms Jack Holly, the still erect postured, retired Marine colonel. “When travelers require something while staying in hotel to whom do they go? The concierge of course! Thus, that is what we are to this effort here in Iraq. If something is needed we provide it, from notepads to police cars, grease to guns.”

This massive array of country building materiel - between $10 and $15 billion - comes from a myriad of sources. Among them are monies from the Developmental Funds Iraq, Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund, Iraqi Stabilization and Iraq Security Force Fund, as well as contributions from donor nations, NATO and items left in country from the “Oil for Food” program.

The 60-year-old Director of Logistics for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division (USACE-GRD) is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate of the rather famous class of 1968. Among its alumni, this august group includes Lt. Col. Oliver North, former Secretary of the Navy and recently elected U.S. Sen. James Webb, a Commandant of the Marine Corps and two Chiefs of Naval Operations. No slouch among this group, even seated at his desk, Holly’s command demeanor and ramrod appearance – other than the short gray beard – still reeks “Semper Fi” pride in the Corps.

This man who effectively led the Marine logistics effort in both Somalia and during Operation “Desert Storm” has now been at the head of the helm of the Iraq Reconstruction logistics mission for nearly three years.

Today, however, he serves as a civilian, but in private his animated talk is often peppered with colorful - and sometimes salty - Marine metaphors.

An example of the latter arises early in a conversation about the components that comprise the affecting of logistics in Iraq. Holly explains that there are five integral components of what constitutes the ultimate price for any manner of goods, be it a pencil or a bus. “While I have to use the acronym carefully,” he explains with a grin of pure mischief, “reality dictates that ‘product price’ is driven by five core components: shipping, handling, inventory, transportation and security. I call it The ***** Factor” – clearly enunciating that Marine Drill Sergeant expletive with a look of boyish delight on his face.

For each of those five letters he has a multitude of apropos logistics related anecdotes:

Concerning shipping, he speaks of the gargantuan amount of cargo space required for the 22,000 vehicles being issued to the Iraq government, that are already in-country and the 5,000-6,000 that are still coming in-country through the port of Umm Qasr. “This includes ambulances, police vehicles, fire trucks and all manner of army rolling stock,” he explains, adding, “and folks should know that the ships that bring them in comply with American Flag Carrier requirements – standards to which less than five percent of the world’s ships can boast.”

Regarding handling Holly describes how every item is carefully inspected to ensure it is what was ordered, is complete and fully operational. He explains that in 2003-04 many items were being ordered to be sent to “the Baghdad Warehouse” when no such location actually existed. The creation of these storage facilities was no simple task, particularly in light of the fact that no money had been designated for their construction.

Showing how his operation provides total accountability to the U.S. taxpayers, he then discussed the inventory process and how virtually all items that come into Iraq must first go to and then through one of the 31 structures at the Abu Ghuraib Warehouse – a facility nearly seven times larger than the Pentagon. “If one of the Iraqi ministries requires it, we probably have it. You name it, we’ve got it. If we don’t, why, I bet we can get it. We’re in the service industry and remember, I’m an old Marine. We don’t know the word ‘no’ he exclaims with a twinkle in his eye.

Transportation brings out a more serious side of Holly. Growing somber he quietly explains how Iraqis have “stepped forward” in driving the trucks and providing the convoy security. “To date, he states,” the personal anguish clearly mirrored on his face, “we’ve had 750 convoys attacked, with 119 men killed and 334 injured. Don’t tell me that Iraqis aren’t committed to helping grow this country.”

In the realm of security Holly explains the obvious, “As security needs increase, so do, of course, insurance costs. And relevant to this, he recounted how 20 percent of all of the attacks on his convoys since commencement of his logistics efforts, took place in last September. “One need not be a rocket scientist to see that those opposed to our efforts to help Iraqis create a democracy here understood what would make lead news back in the U.S. just prior to the elections,” he notes.

In 2003, already highly experienced and labeled a logistical sage by many, Holly was invited by Adm. David Nash - then in charge of the Project and Contracting Office portion of the Coalition Provisional Authority - to join his team.

Now, in 2006, one marvels at what has grown into one of the largest logistical operations in history and all that has been accomplished by the 73 military and civilian members who, over the last three years, have rotated through the eight lead operational billets under the “old Colonel.”

He shuns such praise deferring comments back to mission, “All we are striving to accomplish here would fall to sand if there were no effective logistical program. To use the words of a brother at arms and a former Commandant of the Marine Corp, Gen. Robert Barrow, ‘Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics’."