OP TELIC - Nyheder fra det sydlige Irak 17. - 23. marts

[Oprindeligt publiceret af Hærstaben]

INFRASTRUCTURE

New Power Plants Near Baghdad. The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity has signed contracts with international companies from Scandinavia and the United States to establish 2 modern power plants near Baghdad. The Ministry reported that the first is a gas plant of 6 units that will be finished within one year and have a capacity of 750 megawatts. The second one will be operated by heavy fuel and is expected to be completed within 6 months with a capacity of 340 megawatts.

Ayham Al Samurai, Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, announced earlier that the Ministry would build 4 new power plants with a total capacity of 2,114 megawatts. He also stated that Iran had agreed to supply Iraq with 100 megawatts of electricity, half of which would be paid for in cash, the other half in oil. He noted that work was continuing to rehabilitate existing power plants as well as signing contracts with other countries to build new ones. This is part of the Ministry of Electricity’s strategy to establish a reliable and consistent power infrastructure throughout Iraq.

Power Distribution Office In Al Majarr Al Kabir. A project to construct a security fence around the Power Distribution Office in Al Majarr Al Kabir has been completed. In the past this site has been a prime target for looters and other criminal activity, which has lead to great inconvenience for the local people.

New Facilities for Al Khala. A new communications building has been completed in Al Khala with funding provided by the Coalition. It will provide the local people with the ability to communicate internationally through the use of post office facilities and telephone communications. Refurbishment has also been completed on a slaughterhouse in Al Khala. This will become the town’s main facility for the sanitary slaughtering of animals for food.

EDUCATION

World-Class Computer Facility for Basra Technical Institute. Students and teachers at Basra’s Technical Institute now have a world-class computer facility, built as part of a major programme to improve access to computers across Southern Iraq. The $37,000 Coalition Provisional Authority funded project will help students to learn more about computers and build links with other educational establishments around Iraq and the rest of the world.

Experts from the Institute and the Education Ministry, working closely with CPA advisors, built a network of 24 modern, high-speed computers with internet access via satellite, all housed in a secure site. The system has now become fully operational. Dr Makki, Dean of the Technical Institute said. “It is great that the Institute now has a suite of computers and internet access. It will be a great help to the tutors and the students.

We are very happy to have this in our department.” The system was installed as part of a regional plan to enable students and their tutors in the higher education organisations to have improved access to and re-engagement with the wider scientific, applied sciences, engineering and technological communities and libraries elsewhere in the world. This will enable students and tutors to see and learn from new materials, shared course plans, current research and practical teaching approaches.

It will also support networking with other Iraqi colleges and institutes in Southern Iraq when these are similarly equipped. Similar facilities at the Technical College in Basra will be operational shortly, and within the next few weeks a 12-station facility in the new Graduate Centre on the north campus of the University of Basra has also been approved.

Three colleges in As Samawah have also recently been connected to the internet and proposals are currently being considered to install internet facilities in the University and the Technical Institute in An Nasiriyah. These opportunities as well as up-to-date technology have, in the main, been denied to these institutions during the past decade.

Schools Refurbished In Al Salem. Refurbishment work has just been completed on 2 schools in Al Salem. The Al Ebbdaa School is one of the largest schools in Maysan Province, with 20 classrooms. This school, along with the Al Talib School, has had electric fans installed and bathroom facilities built. Equipment is also being provided for both schools.

Opening Of Girls School in As Samawah. On Monday 15 March, the Al Kermama Intermediate School for Girls in As Samawah was opened by Mr Jim Soriano, Governorate Coordinator of Al Muthanna. The project started on 25 January and was finished on 11 March.

MEDICAL

Medical Supplies in An Nasiriyah. On 18 March, the Italian Joint Task Force gifted antibiotics and another medicines to 2 local hospitals in An Nasiriyah, as well as medicines and various drugs to the paediatric hospital. In addition, ultrasound equipment has been delivered to Suq Ash Shuyukh hospital. Doctor Sara Fumagalli from the Italian Association and General Roberto Ranucci, Deputy Commander of the Italian Joint Task Force, reported that they were pleased to be able to help the local people of Dhi Qar. The provision of medicines, drugs and medical equipment is an important development in the treatment of local disease and illness.


POLITICAL/GOVERNANCE

Democracy Workshops Held In Basra. Iraqi students, lawyers, university professors and women’s groups have attended 3 democracy workshops held at the Coalition Provisional Authority (South). Several more workshops will now be held across the 4 southern provinces in workplaces, schools and with civic society organisations.

The workshops, designed for, and led by Iraqis, have been organised to begin discussions about democracy and elections among Iraqi civic society groups. Eight Iraqi facilitators will manage the workshops; they are now looking for locations to hold further events across the 4 provinces of the southern Iraq.

The first events have proved very successful, with a high level of debate and knowledge displayed by participants on a wide range of democracy-related topics. Elections and accountability were discussed, together with other issues including gender equality, the role of women in Iraqi society, the amalgamation of Islam with democracy and the impact of the Transitional Administrative Law.

Participants also had the opportunity to question a number of high-profile guests including the Coalition Provisional Authority (South) Regional Coordinator Patrick Nixon and Ann Clwyd, the British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Human Rights.

SECURITY

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES

Iraqi Civil Defence Corps Course Number 8 Commences. Iraqi Civil Defence Corps Course Number 8 started in Al Amarah on 16 March with 457 soldiers. The initial training course lasts 3 weeks and comes in 2 forms, Basic and Specialist. The basic training consists of weapon handling, patrolling, vehicle check point procedures, first aid, mine awareness, searching, public order and drill.

The specialist training course is aimed at those who have already attended a basic course and are taking up specialist posts. The course is split into 4 parts: command and leadership, administration, logistics and medical.

Iraqi Joint Operation Thwarts Major Smuggling Ring. On 22 March, the Iraqi Police, supported by the Iraqi Riverine patrol Service and Iraqi Customs, raided an illegal smuggling operation near Umm Qasr. In all, 32 individuals were detained and 7 barges impounded, along with forged paperwork.

LAW AND ORDER

Hijackings Foiled. Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces have foiled 3 attempted vehicle hijackings. In the course of these, 9 suspects were arrested.

Weapon Finds. In addition to ongoing planned clearance operations of ex-Iraqi Army arms dumps, Coalition Forces continue to make significant finds of weapons, all of which have been destroyed in situ or recovered. This week's haul from a number of successful search operations include small arms, 2 heavy machine guns, 27 RPGs, over 500 RPG warheads, 200 mortar rounds, a number of mines, as well as many thousands of rounds of ammunition.

OP TELIC hjemmeside