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"OP TELIC” nyheder fra det sydlige Irak
MND(SE) samler hver uge nyheder fra hele divisionens område. Disse sendes til alle nationer, der indgår i divisionen.
14. maj, 2004 - Kl. 10.09
[Oprindeligt publiceret af Hærstaben]
OP TELIC - 'GOOD NEWS TUESDAY' 3 MAR - 9 MAR 04
1. The following are a selection of stories from across the MND(SE) Area of Operations in Southern Iraq for the period 2 - 9 Mar 04.
RECONSTRUCTION
INFRASTRUCTURE
2. Basrah Bridge Raised from the Depths. Iraqi contractors and British military engineers are salvaging a sunken bridge from the bottom of the Shatt-al-Arab in Basrah. The Cullingworth Bridge was badly damaged on 29 December after a heavy truck drove over it and damaged one of the floats that kept it in position. As the floats began to flood, British engineers had to separate the damaged part of the bridge with explosives in order to save the rest of it.
Over the last few weeks they have continued to salvage the sunken parts to repair the bridge, which they hope will be open again by the end of the March. Major Matt Quare, who is commanding the Engineers conducting the work, said the troops had searched the country for spare parts to repair the missing 90-metre section. “Some of my soldiers went to Baghdad to get parts for the bridge. Local Iraqis were building new pontoons. They have been working very quickly and we are very impressed with the quality of the work they have done”.
Military divers attached chains to the sunken pontoons so they could be recovered from the water. These parts will be used to repair the missing section over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, the remaining section of the bridge has been strengthened to prevent it being torn away by the Shatt-al-Arab’s strong current. “This is the third time we have repaired this bridge”, Maj Quare said: “In future, we will put measures in place to prevent heavy trucks crossing it. Thereafter, the Iraqi Police will also ensure that any vehicle that goes across is not too heavy”.
3. Power Cables. New power cables are being installed in the village of Nahr Saad and Abu Pshott (outside Kumayt). The cables cost $50,000 and when the work is completed, full electricity will be provided to the 2 villages. On 11 February, a Coalition Forces patrol arrested 2 cable looters to the north west of Al Majar Al Kabir and handed them over to the Iraqi Police.
Power cables are expensive and, as looting still goes on, replacing them continues to prove a massive drain on money that could be used to improve other Iraqi communities. During the summer months, insufficient power, due to looting, could become a great inconvenience to the Iraqi people.
EDUCATION
4. Education Update in Maysan Province. Since the end of the war, Coalition Forces and Coalition Provisional Authority have refurbished 113 schools throughout Maysan province. These range from small schools in the marsh areas to larger establishments in main towns.
The total cost of refurbishing these schools has totalled $1.2 million and has ensured that around 20,000 children of all ages have been able to return to their education in safe, clean and functional environments. At the moment, a further 100 schools are undergoing similar refurbishment. In the past, work on schools has been limited to reconstructing buildings and recreation areas.
However, future projects are likely to include the donation of furniture also. Whilst there is still a lot of work to be done before the damage caused by looters after the war is completely compensated for, considerable progress has been made for the children of Maysan Province.
5. Internet Access for Basra University. Students in Basrah University will have better access to the internet under an $18 000 project, funded by the Coalition Provisional Authority, to install a new computer system. The project is part of a wider initiative by the Iraqi Ministry of Education and the Coalition Provisional Authority to improve internet access for students.
Better access to modern technology will help improve learning and help students in Basra communicate more effectively with academic and scientific organisations in other cities and countries. The project, which is being carried out in partnership with the University of Basra, will see the installation of 12 computer terminals and will be used by students, lecturers and professors. A contribution by the British-based 'Lord Mayor of London’s Trust' will also ensure there is access to 'on-line' scientific journals.
COMMUNITY ISSUES
6. Maysan Football Club. As Coalition Forces still require the use of Maysan football stadium, it has not been possible for home football matches to be played. Therefore, the Maysan players will have their travel and accommodation for 10 league matches paid for by the Coalition Forces during the next season. Both the Coalition Forces and Coalition Provisional Authority support local leisure activities and sports, as these are a vital part of any community. For example, work is underway on the sugar cane football pitch in Al Majar Al Kabir that will further increase the levels of participation in and access to this popular sport.
7. New Chess Club in Al Amarah. A new Chess Club has opened in Al Amarah at the Al Amarah Youth Centre. This project has been organised through the Coalition Provisional Authority and The Iraqi Society for Change, using funding from Coalition Forces.
POLITICAL
8. Democracy Workshops. Iraqi students and lawyers have attended the first in a series of democracy workshops at Coalition Provisional Authority (South) Headquarters. The workshops were organized by the Coalition Provisional Authority and the United States Agency For International Development - funded Resource Triangle Institute Local Governance Project, to promote discussion by Iraqi civic society groups of democratic issues such as elections and accountability.
The Coalition Provisional Authority has funding to organise up to 10 workshops over the next few weeks, to be held in a variety of locations such as schools, universities and workplaces. The next one will be for women’s groups and will be held on Monday 8 March, to coincide with International Women’s Day. Eight Iraqi facilitators, including teachers and former members of the Iraqi Army, are running the workshops on behalf of Coalition Provisional Authority, having received training from Resource Triangle Institute.
SECURITY
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES
9. Iraqi Civil Defence Corps Officers Commissioned. After completion of their final course, all 29 Iraqi Civil Defence Corps officers were commissioned on 3 March. The ceremony took place at their Headquarters in As Samawah, attended by their Battalion Commander, General Stewart (Commander Multinational Division (South East)) and the Commander of the Netherlands Battle Group, Lieutenant Colonel Oppelaar, as well as local media, including TV.
10. Iraqi Civil Defence Corps Graduation. On 7 March, another 106 Iraqi Civil Defence Corps trainees completed their basic training. The Graduation Ceremony was held in the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps Headquarters in Al Khudr, attended by their Battalion Commander and the Commander of the Netherlands Battle Group.
11. First Operation by Iraqi Riverine Patrol Service. The new Iraqi Riverine Patrol Service conducted its first operation when it took Iraqi judges and a legal team to conduct seizure hearings on 2 oil-smuggling vessels. The vessels are now in custody and confiscation proceedings have commenced. Meanwhile, Coalition Naval Forces have turned back into Iraqi waters, 5 further vessels suspected of fuel and other smuggling.
LAW AND ORDER
12. Explosives Found In Daura. The Iraqi Civil Defence Corps, assisted by Coalition Forces, discovered 34 kilograms of TNT under 170 large containers on a farm in Daura. The owner of the farm had claimed that he only had fertilizer. Meanwhile, British forces in Basra arrested 2 men with a large quantity of money and explosives.
13. Improvised Explosive Devices Successfully Defused. Coalition Forces have defused successfully, 2 improvised explosive devices discovered in the area of operations. One was discovered as a result of a tip-off from concerned locals.
14. Hijackings Foiled. Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces have foiled 4 attempted vehicle hijackings. In the course of these, 3 suspects were arrested, one was wounded, and up to 3 believed killed in exchanges of fire.
15. Suspect Smugglers Wounded. A group of suspected smugglers opened fire on a joint Iraqi Civil Defence Corps/Coalition Forces patrol in Basra. The patrol returned fire, wounding 2 of the men, both of whom are in hospital. An investigation is in progress.
16. Weapon Finds. Coalition Forces continue to make significant finds of weapons, all of which have been destroyed in situ or recovered. This week's haul included 100 rifles, two 120mm mortars, barrels for heavy machine guns, 15000 rounds of 14.5mm ammunition, mortar rounds, rockets and RPGs. Meanwhile, operations continue to recover ordnance from Iraqi military arms dumps, over 300 tons of ammunition has been recovered this week alone.
OP TELIC hjemmeside
OP TELIC - 'GOOD NEWS TUESDAY' 3 MAR - 9 MAR 04
1. The following are a selection of stories from across the MND(SE) Area of Operations in Southern Iraq for the period 2 - 9 Mar 04.
RECONSTRUCTION
INFRASTRUCTURE
2. Basrah Bridge Raised from the Depths. Iraqi contractors and British military engineers are salvaging a sunken bridge from the bottom of the Shatt-al-Arab in Basrah. The Cullingworth Bridge was badly damaged on 29 December after a heavy truck drove over it and damaged one of the floats that kept it in position. As the floats began to flood, British engineers had to separate the damaged part of the bridge with explosives in order to save the rest of it.
Over the last few weeks they have continued to salvage the sunken parts to repair the bridge, which they hope will be open again by the end of the March. Major Matt Quare, who is commanding the Engineers conducting the work, said the troops had searched the country for spare parts to repair the missing 90-metre section. “Some of my soldiers went to Baghdad to get parts for the bridge. Local Iraqis were building new pontoons. They have been working very quickly and we are very impressed with the quality of the work they have done”.
Military divers attached chains to the sunken pontoons so they could be recovered from the water. These parts will be used to repair the missing section over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, the remaining section of the bridge has been strengthened to prevent it being torn away by the Shatt-al-Arab’s strong current. “This is the third time we have repaired this bridge”, Maj Quare said: “In future, we will put measures in place to prevent heavy trucks crossing it. Thereafter, the Iraqi Police will also ensure that any vehicle that goes across is not too heavy”.
3. Power Cables. New power cables are being installed in the village of Nahr Saad and Abu Pshott (outside Kumayt). The cables cost $50,000 and when the work is completed, full electricity will be provided to the 2 villages. On 11 February, a Coalition Forces patrol arrested 2 cable looters to the north west of Al Majar Al Kabir and handed them over to the Iraqi Police.
Power cables are expensive and, as looting still goes on, replacing them continues to prove a massive drain on money that could be used to improve other Iraqi communities. During the summer months, insufficient power, due to looting, could become a great inconvenience to the Iraqi people.
EDUCATION
4. Education Update in Maysan Province. Since the end of the war, Coalition Forces and Coalition Provisional Authority have refurbished 113 schools throughout Maysan province. These range from small schools in the marsh areas to larger establishments in main towns.
The total cost of refurbishing these schools has totalled $1.2 million and has ensured that around 20,000 children of all ages have been able to return to their education in safe, clean and functional environments. At the moment, a further 100 schools are undergoing similar refurbishment. In the past, work on schools has been limited to reconstructing buildings and recreation areas.
However, future projects are likely to include the donation of furniture also. Whilst there is still a lot of work to be done before the damage caused by looters after the war is completely compensated for, considerable progress has been made for the children of Maysan Province.
5. Internet Access for Basra University. Students in Basrah University will have better access to the internet under an $18 000 project, funded by the Coalition Provisional Authority, to install a new computer system. The project is part of a wider initiative by the Iraqi Ministry of Education and the Coalition Provisional Authority to improve internet access for students.
Better access to modern technology will help improve learning and help students in Basra communicate more effectively with academic and scientific organisations in other cities and countries. The project, which is being carried out in partnership with the University of Basra, will see the installation of 12 computer terminals and will be used by students, lecturers and professors. A contribution by the British-based 'Lord Mayor of London’s Trust' will also ensure there is access to 'on-line' scientific journals.
COMMUNITY ISSUES
6. Maysan Football Club. As Coalition Forces still require the use of Maysan football stadium, it has not been possible for home football matches to be played. Therefore, the Maysan players will have their travel and accommodation for 10 league matches paid for by the Coalition Forces during the next season. Both the Coalition Forces and Coalition Provisional Authority support local leisure activities and sports, as these are a vital part of any community. For example, work is underway on the sugar cane football pitch in Al Majar Al Kabir that will further increase the levels of participation in and access to this popular sport.
7. New Chess Club in Al Amarah. A new Chess Club has opened in Al Amarah at the Al Amarah Youth Centre. This project has been organised through the Coalition Provisional Authority and The Iraqi Society for Change, using funding from Coalition Forces.
POLITICAL
8. Democracy Workshops. Iraqi students and lawyers have attended the first in a series of democracy workshops at Coalition Provisional Authority (South) Headquarters. The workshops were organized by the Coalition Provisional Authority and the United States Agency For International Development - funded Resource Triangle Institute Local Governance Project, to promote discussion by Iraqi civic society groups of democratic issues such as elections and accountability.
The Coalition Provisional Authority has funding to organise up to 10 workshops over the next few weeks, to be held in a variety of locations such as schools, universities and workplaces. The next one will be for women’s groups and will be held on Monday 8 March, to coincide with International Women’s Day. Eight Iraqi facilitators, including teachers and former members of the Iraqi Army, are running the workshops on behalf of Coalition Provisional Authority, having received training from Resource Triangle Institute.
SECURITY
IRAQI SECURITY FORCES
9. Iraqi Civil Defence Corps Officers Commissioned. After completion of their final course, all 29 Iraqi Civil Defence Corps officers were commissioned on 3 March. The ceremony took place at their Headquarters in As Samawah, attended by their Battalion Commander, General Stewart (Commander Multinational Division (South East)) and the Commander of the Netherlands Battle Group, Lieutenant Colonel Oppelaar, as well as local media, including TV.
10. Iraqi Civil Defence Corps Graduation. On 7 March, another 106 Iraqi Civil Defence Corps trainees completed their basic training. The Graduation Ceremony was held in the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps Headquarters in Al Khudr, attended by their Battalion Commander and the Commander of the Netherlands Battle Group.
11. First Operation by Iraqi Riverine Patrol Service. The new Iraqi Riverine Patrol Service conducted its first operation when it took Iraqi judges and a legal team to conduct seizure hearings on 2 oil-smuggling vessels. The vessels are now in custody and confiscation proceedings have commenced. Meanwhile, Coalition Naval Forces have turned back into Iraqi waters, 5 further vessels suspected of fuel and other smuggling.
LAW AND ORDER
12. Explosives Found In Daura. The Iraqi Civil Defence Corps, assisted by Coalition Forces, discovered 34 kilograms of TNT under 170 large containers on a farm in Daura. The owner of the farm had claimed that he only had fertilizer. Meanwhile, British forces in Basra arrested 2 men with a large quantity of money and explosives.
13. Improvised Explosive Devices Successfully Defused. Coalition Forces have defused successfully, 2 improvised explosive devices discovered in the area of operations. One was discovered as a result of a tip-off from concerned locals.
14. Hijackings Foiled. Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces have foiled 4 attempted vehicle hijackings. In the course of these, 3 suspects were arrested, one was wounded, and up to 3 believed killed in exchanges of fire.
15. Suspect Smugglers Wounded. A group of suspected smugglers opened fire on a joint Iraqi Civil Defence Corps/Coalition Forces patrol in Basra. The patrol returned fire, wounding 2 of the men, both of whom are in hospital. An investigation is in progress.
16. Weapon Finds. Coalition Forces continue to make significant finds of weapons, all of which have been destroyed in situ or recovered. This week's haul included 100 rifles, two 120mm mortars, barrels for heavy machine guns, 15000 rounds of 14.5mm ammunition, mortar rounds, rockets and RPGs. Meanwhile, operations continue to recover ordnance from Iraqi military arms dumps, over 300 tons of ammunition has been recovered this week alone.
OP TELIC hjemmeside