Thread: Iraq/Dinar News up until March 18th Midnight ctz

US Urges Protection for Iraq's Assyrian Christians
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Posted GMT 3-14-2007 15:29:11
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WASHINGTON --- The U.S. government's religious freedom watchdog agency expressed serious concern about the growing refugee crisis in Iraq, highlighting the mainly Christian Chaldo-Assyrian community as one of the most vulnerable in the country.

In a letter this week, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urged the U.S. government to take decisive action to allow Iraqi refugees to resettle with greater ease in the United States.

The Commission emphasized that more than 1.8 million people have been displaced from their homes inside Iraq and close to 2 million forced to seek refuge in other countries since the 2003 U.S.-led offensive.

Iraq's refugee problem was described as "alarming" and in need of more help from the U.S. government.

"The United States must act immediately to identify the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees and move quickly to resettle them in the United States," said Felice D. Gaer, chair of the Commission, in a statement released Monday.

Chaldo-Assyrians, who make up most of Iraq's Christian population, are among the most vulnerable population in the country, stated the Commission.

Although Christians compose only three percent of Iraq's 26 million people, they make up nearly half of the refugees fleeing Iraq, according to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

Moreover, it is estimated that about 3,000 people leave Iraq everyday due to the violence.

"Because of their (the Assyrian Christian's) small population, weak status, and lack of regional support, they have no one to protect them from all the violence," explained Paul Isaac, a spokesman for Christians for Assyrians of Iraq to The Christian Post in December.

Assyrian Christians often point out that they are Iraq's indigenous people, tracing their history back to Babylonian times.

Yet despite their ancient heritage, Christians are increasingly the target of violence -- often for money. Many Christians are shop owners and have some money or they are kidnapped to force relatives abroad to pay ransom. The money is used to buy guns and fund fighting.

The United States has recognized, to some degree, the urgent need to address Iraq's massive refugee problem. The Commission informed in its letter that it observes with "interest" that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recently established a task force on Iraqi refugees and that the U.S. has agreed to accept up to 7,000 displaced Iraqis this year. Furthermore, the U.S. plans to increase aid to refugees living Iraq's neighboring countries.

Currently, there is an estimated population of about 200,000 expatriate Iraqi Christians living in the United States.

Besides granting asylum for Iraq's religious minorities, others call for the formation of an autonomous state for Iraq's Christian population in the northern Nineveh Plain -- the ancestral homeland of Iraq's Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians - where Christians can live and work without persecution.

The Nineveh proposal is supported by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Christian Solidarity Worldwide among others.

"In today's Iraq, all we have is hope," said Pascale Warda, former Iraqi minister and Assyrian Christian, during a press conference last October.

"For the Assyrian Christians, this hope is rapidly dying. The targeting of our people is something that the world cannot ignore and the governments of the world cannot deny."

The United Nations estimates that as many as 2.7 million Iraqis could flee the country by the end of 2007 if actions are not taken to curb the exodus.

By Michelle Vu
Christian Post

© 2007, Assyrian International News Agency

Patrol leads to discovery of caches
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
By Sgt. Serena Hayden
3rd BCT, 1st Cav. Div.

MUQDADIYA — Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division supported by U.S. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, attached to 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered three caches and two improvised explosive devices while conducting routine patrols in Muqdadiya, Iraq, March 8.

“The weapons and supplies found during this patrol have multiple uses; however, the primary reason for their use is to disrupt the future of the Iraqi people living in the Diyala province,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province. “The people in the province are choosing reconstruction, stability, and development. The choices being dictated to them by the terrorists are fear and oppression. The Iraqi security forces are committing themselves to removing the terrorists’ tools.”

The caches consisted of improvised explosive device making materials including approximately 20 propane tanks and several mortar rounds.

A coalition forces’ explosive ordnance disposal unit conducted controlled detonations of the caches and the IEDs.

The unit also detained three individuals riding on a motorcycle with a mortar round prepared to explode. The detainees will be processed for further questioning.

Iraqi Police, Army protect pilgrims
Wednesday, 14 March 2007


U.S. Army Soldiers from A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), along with Iraqi Army Soldiers, conduct a foot patrol through an area that has been frequented with attacks on Coalition forces, March 4. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jacob H. Smith.BAGHDAD — Iraqi Army and police forces worked together to provide security for more than six million pilgrims traveling to Karbala to observe the Shiite ritual of Arbaeen, officials in Baghdad said Monday.

Anti-Iraqi forces targeted the pilgrims killing more than 100 pilgrims on March 6. Iraqi Brig. Gen. Kassim Atta al-Moussawi said during a news conference in Baghdad Monday.

Arbaeen marks the end of 40 days of mourning for the Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. He was assassinated in 680 A.D. by fellow Muslims who sought to prevent him from becoming the caliph, or Muslim leader. The caliphate became the foundation of Sunni Muslim rule, and the killing of Hussein was the start of the Sunni-Shiite split. Karbala is the home of the imam’s tomb and has been a site of pilgrimage since his death.

Shiite Muslims from Iraq, Iran, the Gulf States and other areas travel to Karbala and engage in ritual flagellation in remembrance of the imam. During Saddam Hussein’s regime, Shiite Muslims could not mark the celebration because Saddam was a Sunni Muslim. Iraqi and Coalition officials say this year has seen the largest Arbaeen celebration in decades.

Kassim, speaking through an interpreter, said the volume of threats in Iraq and the volume of pilgrims made Arbaeen a potentially dangerous situation. “The enemy targets the innocent people - children, students,” he said. “This is clear evidence of the terror of these groups.”

Despite Iraqi security forces’ limited capabilities, they did well against the security threats, Kassim said. Iraqi forces also discovered a number of caches of arms and munitions and foiled a number of attacks.

They cooperated well with each other and the Coalition, as they built trust with the Shiite majority in Iraq, the general said.

The operation to protect Karbala involved the office of the minister of national security, the governor of Karbala governate, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior. “There was daily cooperation between forces in Karbala and Baghdad,” Kassim said. “The great efforts … exerted achieved good results in this plan.”

(By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service)

I

Army platoon enters uncharted territory
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
By Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment



Children in the village of Sharqot, in the Qayarrah region of Iraq, cheer Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, Battery A, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, Feb. 25. The Soldiers handed out clothing and blankets to needy people in Sharqot during a visit with one of the sheiks in the town. The 5-82 FA is part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, out of Fort Bliss, Texas.SHARQOT — In a moment reminiscent of the first triumphant days of the Iraq war, American Soldiers walked through a crowd of cheering Iraqi children. On a dirt road in the village of Sharqot, the children whistled loudly for the Soldiers, then, remarkably, broke into applause.

Surprised, 1st Lt. Michael E. Havey Jr. beamed at the cheering crowd.

“That was pretty monumental,” said Havey, platoon leader of 3rd platoon, Battery A, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment. “(Before) they wouldn’t even give us a wave.”

Territory for Soldiers of 5-82 FA, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, out of Fort Bliss, Texas was recently expanded to include Sharqot, a town about 60 miles south of Mosul.

The people of Sharqot have remained mostly unexposed to coalition forces since the beginning of the war, said Havey.

In Sharqot, the coalition Soldiers have a chance at a fresh start with the Iraqi people.

“I’m trying to work with the people so that they understand that I’m there to help them, not hurt them, with my forces,” said Lt. Col Robert McLaughlin, battalion commander.

Soldiers of Havey’s platoon, who are in charge of Sharqot, find themselves in a delicate situation. They have to root out terrorists believed to be hiding in the area, without isolating the people of Sharqot.

The happy scene of children cheering was a stark contrast to another scene hours earlier, when Havey had sat before an Iraqi colonel, asking him to convince his Iraqi soldiers to join his own Soldiers in handing out clothing and blankets to needy people in the town.

The colonel refused. He recommended Havey get the people of Sharqot to welcome the Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, then maybe his Iraqi soldiers would be willing to be seen working alongside the Americans.

“When you make relationship with the people outside, then we go with you,” said the Iraqi colonel, through an interpreter. The colonel is the commander of the 13th Strategic Infrastructure Battalion, the Iraqi army unit responsible for the Sharqot area.

“They are afraid of working side by side with coalition forces,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gabriel Boyd, platoon sergeant for 3rd Platoon. Boyd said he thinks the Iraqi soldiers feel terrorists will target their families and other people in Sharqot if they work with the 3rd Platoon troops.

Townspeople are guarded about how coalition presence will change the security situation in Sharqot, said leaders of 5-82 FA.

“Maybe the people were a little bit complacent in the fact that things were quiet, but they didn’t care how or why they were quiet,” said Havey. “They were willing to put up with having terrorists and other people coming through so long as it wasn’t directly harming them.”

But Soldiers of 3rd Platoon cannot ignore terrorist presence in the area.

“As long as they are complacent and quiet about it, it will continue to grow. (Terrorists) will continue to launch operations from that area,” Havey said, “Eventually it will come back to (the people)…That’s only bad for them,” he said.

So the Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, Battery A are patiently trying to win over the people of Sharqot. They hope their concentrated efforts will pay off, not only in earning the respect of the townspeople, but also in stopping terrorists from spreading their influence.

Based on the advice of the 13th SIB commander, Soldiers of 3rd Platoon are courting the sheiks of Sharqot as a way to earn the trust of the 13th SIB Soldiers. Havey believes having the trust of the Iraqi soldiers is an indicator of the feelings of the people of Sharqot, since most of the SIB Soldiers are from the Sharqot area.

“Sheiks, particularly in this area, seem to hold more influence and more power, even though they don’t hold an official position,” Havey said, referring to the fact that Iraqi soldiers are more likely to listen to their sheik instead of government officials.

“If we win the Sheiks’ hearts, we can also win the people,” said Boyd.

In the past six weeks, since 3rd Platoon started operating in Sharqot, the Soldiers have met with the Sharqot sheiks and the city council. They have signed contracts with local workers for small projects in the area, including one to clean up trash in the town.

One of the most influential sheiks in Sharqot has seen the work of 3rd Platoon Soldiers and is spreading the good word to his people, said Boyd. When the Soldiers handed out clothing and blankets to the people of Sharqot, it was from the home of the sheik.

“Just the people seeing us with him, and him feeling safe with us, meant a great deal,” said Havey.

“The ultimate goal is to be able to work with 13th SIB Soldiers and Iraqi Police in Sharqot, build the trust with the local populace, continue working projects in the area for the people and interdict any anti-Iraqi forces that may be influencing the population of Sharqot,” Boyd said.

With the new security plan in Baghdad, 5-82FA Soldiers believe terrorist activity could increase in their area.

“If we control the area of Baghdad, obviously anti-Iraqi forces will try to push somewhere,” Boyd said.

And the Soldiers of 3rd Platoon are intent that that “somewhere” will not be Sharqot.

“We don’t want any anti-Iraqi forces coming from the south to influence the people of Sharqot,” Boyd said

“It’s a hard process down there and our Soldiers are working patiently,” Boyd said

Already their efforts are paying off. Havey said the people have begun to warm up to the platoon Soldiers.

“They seemed a lot more relaxed,” he said.

With a smile he recalls the cheering children.

“It was a pretty moving moment,” Havey said.

Civilians lend Soldiers a helping hand
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
By Staff Sgt. Angela McKinzie
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) Public Affairs



Felix Remocaldo, a carpenter with Kellogg, Brown and Root, takes old pieces of wood off the walls at the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Tactical Operations Center on Camp Striker, Iraq. Remocaldo is currently installing cabinets at the TOC.CAMP STRIKER — On almost every camp, forward operating base and patrol base, renovations are being made to improve the quality of life for the Soldiers who work and reside there.

To assist with the many renovations, civilian contractors are in country to help Soldiers get the job done.

Recently, civilians from Kellogg, Brown and Root, a company that assists the military, have helped to make the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Tactical Operation Center feel more like home.

“I am here to help the Soldiers,” said Randy Frnka, a KBR carpenter and native of Austin, Texas. “My main goal is to make them feel like they are at home, and I like seeing them happy.”

Frnka and his crew, Carlito Salvador and Felix Remocaldo, who are both carpenters, spend at least 12 hours each day making and installing items for the Soldiers.

“We have made memorials, cabinets, desks and adjustable shelves,” Frnka said. “We do it all.”

With Frnka’s deep passion to help the military, he decided to leave his own business in Texas and deploy to Iraq.

“I have been a carpenter for 37 years,” he said as he installed cabinets in the operations center. “But I wanted to do something else to help.”

Frnka even asks his friends at home to help him sometimes.

“I had one of my friends send me a bunch of stuff that I wasn’t able to get here,” he said of the supplies he uses to build things. “I have also taught the guys who work for me how to build things by hand.”

Frnka and his team’s work can be seen throughout the center.

“Randy and his crew have been tasked to do various projects for the brigade,” said Sgt. Maj. Johnny Kea, a brigade future operations sergeant major and native of Rose Hill, N.C. “He has received excellent reviews on the quality of the products. His great skills support the Soldiers in Iraq."

Frnka also makes it a priority to complete all tasks given to him. If there is something that needs to be fixed then he will make sure he does it.

“Randy has seen all projects from start to finish,” Kea said. “He takes great pride in his work and supporting the Soldiers."

Although Frnka has been a carpenter for 37 years, his team is new to the trade. So Frnka takes time out to train them.

“These guys are like my sons,” Frnka said of Salvador and Remocaldo. “I taught them everything they know.”

The team is also responsible for projects around the Camp Striker, Iraq, area. They have built all the cabinets for the Sather Air Base, Iraq, dining facility. They do specialty work as well.

“The unique thing is that I do not use tools to measure things,” Frnka said and he showed Soldiers some of his products. “I use my eyes to calibrate things.

Frnka’s calibrated eye gets the job done according to the Soldiers who have seen his work.

“The projects the civilians have done in the (operational center) look really nice,” commented Sgt. Anthony Fusco, the 2nd BCT engineer noncommissioned officer in charge and native of Avon, N.Y. “They are friendly and will help in any way they can.”

Frnka’s team plans on continuing supporting the Soldiers as much as they can.

“I am glad I can help and I like to,” added Remocaldo. “Helping the Soldiers makes me happy.”

Headhunters ramp up training of Iraqi Army troops
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070313-08
March 13, 2007

Headhunters ramp up training of Iraqi Army troops
Multi-National Division – North PAO

NINEWA PROVINCE, Iraq – Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment (Headhunters) completed several training events last week for Iraqi Army soldiers as part of the increased Military Transition Team training implemented earlier this year.

Soldiers from 1st Platoon, B Troop, 1-9 Cavalry completed training of troops from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Iraqi Army Division in individual movement techniques and squad-level reconnaissance exercises March 6 at Forward Operating Base Sykes.

The training was designed to teach individual movement technique skills as well as maintaining vigilance while out on patrol, and included grenade simulators during mock patrols to simulate contact from IEDs, mortars, and complex ambushes.

Concurrently, Soldiers from A Troop, 1-9 Cavalry trained troops from Headquarters Company, 2nd Iraqi Army Division on basic High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and vehicle repair March 7 at Al-Kindi military complex.

This training was designed to focus on basic operator-level maintenance, trouble-shooting, and basic mechanical tasks for successful vehicle upkeep.

Iraqi minister describes Kuwaiti-Iraqi ties as excellent


(with photos)

GENEVA, March 14 (KUNA) -- Iraqi minister for human rights Wegdan Salem praised current Kuwaiti Iraqi relations and described them as excellent in all fields.

Talking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), on the sidelines of the Human Rights Council, Salem noted that in the field of human rights cooperation is ongoing between the two countries to find the remains of victims of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.

She added that her ministry has requested from Kuwait training in the fields of DNA tracking and other related issues.

Salem announced that the next ministerial meeting on the future of Iraq will be held in Istanbul, Turkey in April.

Marking the upcoming fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq, the Iraqi minister said all Iraqis aspire to live a better life in peace and security and it is the Iraqis who would construct their new life.

She called on the Arab world to fully support the Iraqi people and their government reminding the Arabs that Iraq is an Arab country.

Minister Salem expressed hope that the days to come will experience solid relations between Iraq and the Arab world.

On the growing violence in Iraq, Minister Salem said that the violence has relatively decreased after the implementation of the Baghdad security plan, and that this has given hope to the Iraqi people that a better life is ahead of them.

Article originally published by KUNA (Kuwait News Agency) 14-Mar-07

Iran to open bank in restful Iraq


14 March 2007
TEHRAN -- Bank Melli Iran (BMI) will open a branch in Baghdad and other cities southern Iraq in a bid to boost banking ties with the neighboring state, Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported in Ahvaz, the capital of southern Khuzestan Province, on Tuesday.

"BMI branches could help tradesmen receive the money of their products exported to Iraq," said Mohammadreza Baghban, Iranian consul in southern city of Basra, who termed the decision as a significant improvement in commercial sector.


The branches will be established at a fully secure atmosphere in Iraq, said Baghban.


Pointing to growing Iran-Iraq ties, the consul added that some problems, due to the current developments in Iraq, are unavoidable.


Only some parts of Iraq are experiencing insecurity and other regions are not that risky and lots of Iranian have invested there, noted the official.


© Tehran Times 2007

Exxon eyes Iran


14 March 2007
US oil company also weighing options in Iraq


ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxonMobil Corporation
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, one of the oldest US oil companies with 125 years in business, is eyeing Iranian market which is not open for US companies due to the current business embargo.

A company official, who doesn't want to be named, told Bahrain Tribune that his company would definitely enter Iranian oil market. ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxonMobil Corporation
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, which has been in the Middle East for the past decades, is keen to do business in Iran, one of the top four oil net exporters, with 2.6m barrels a day. Iran is also the fourth largest oil producer in the world with 4.2 million barrels a day.

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, a regular exhibitor for Middle East Oil Show (MEOS) since its inception, has been one of the major participants in this year's exhibition which concludes today. Exxon is also weighing options to reap the benefits in Iraq as ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxonMobil Corporation
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like other global oil giants are cautious not to make investments in a politically volatile country.

"We are very keen," the official said, "to see an open Iran following a possible amicable solution to the current standoff with the West. "We are in business and every potential country is our potential target. We look forward to working in Iran in future like many other countries."

The two companies that joined together to form the Exxon Mobil CorporationExxon Mobil CorporationExxonMobil Corporation
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have been active participants in the Middle East for many years. Today, the merged company has a strong presence in the region as a leading producer of natural gas, petrochemicals and refined products

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is a major investor in Saudi Arabia, where it has four joint ventures - the Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery CompanySaudi Aramco Mobil Refinery CompanySaudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company
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at Yanbu, the Saudi Aramco Lubricating Oil Refining CompanySaudi Aramco Lubricating Oil Refining CompanySaudi Aramco Lubricating Oil Refining Company
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in Yanbu and Jeddah and the Arabian Petroleum Supply CompanyArabian Petroleum Supply CompanyArabian Petroleum Supply Company
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based in Jeddah.

"In the UAE we had net production of 116,000 barrels of oil per day in Abu Dhabi in 2005, which was associated with the highest annual gross production rate since first oil exports from the onshore concession began more than 40 years ago," the official said.

ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxonMobil Corporation
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has formed and leads a consortium (ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxonMobil Corporation
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stake 37.5 per cent) to compete for Kuwait's tendering of an operating service agreement covering four fields in the northern part of the country.

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and Qatar PetroleumQatar Petroleum, with other joint-venture partners, are further developing the giant north field, the largest non-associated gas field in the world.

Talking about Bahrain's bids for exploration for four fields, he said that ExxonMobilExxonMobilExxonMobil Corporation
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would be keen to participate in these new bids. "Bahrain has come with very attractive deals for the oil companies and we will possibly be one of the bidders."

By Mehmood Rafique Business Correspondent

Iraq''s FM briefs EU ambassadors about outcome of Int''l Baghdad conf.

POL-IRAQ-ZEBARI-AMBASSADORS
Iraq's FM briefs EU ambassadors about outcome of Int'l Baghdad conf.

BAGHDAD, March 13 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Tuesday briefed the accredited European Union ambassadors about outcome of the International Baghdad Conference that was held here last Saturday.

A foreign ministry statement said that the ambassadors congratulated the minister and the ministry for the excellent organization and their efforts in making the conference a success.

According to the statement, Zebari said the conference was a good opportunity to the world to express solidarity with Iraq and a beginning for a wider cooperation and for more exchange of official visits.

He stressed the importance of the Iraqi proposal that was unanimously approved by the meeting on the formation of specialized committees, saying his government was keen on making work of these committees a success.(end) mhg.

tg
KUNA 132059 Mar 07NNNN