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Regional Iraq leaders hold lively meeting

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

By MARGARET FRIEDENAUER - Staff Writer

FORWARD OPERATING BASE Q-WEST--Watching the wheelings and dealings of local Iraqi leaders in this part of the country is like nothing seen on C-Span.

This style of local government is done with heated discussion, a meal, some tea and a handshake. And rather than policy making, these local leaders are more concerned with having heat in schools, providing electricity, and controlling the price of fuel.

The monthly meeting of the Qayyarah West Regional Security Council took place here Monday. The council covers an area the size of West Virginia, south of Mosul, and is the current home to the Task Force 4-11 Field Artillery of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Adding to discussions was a handover of power scheduled to take place today when the 4-11 officially turns over a portion of its battle space to an Iraqi battalion, the first time such a transition has occurred between the 172nd and Iraqi forces.

Work was done during an official meeting of nearly 100 people, and discussions continued afterward into lunch .

The security council is a meeting of dozens of Sheiks, or tribal leaders, and "mukhtars," or village leaders, as well as mayors, Iraqi police, and leaders of Army and U.S. forces. The special guest Monday was Brigadier General Wathik, who goes only by his first name. He is chief of police for the Nineveh Province in northern Iraq.

"This conference is a good thing to have," he said. "It's the way to go to the new Iraq, to the democracy," he told the council through an interpreter.

Lt. Col. Scott Wuestner of the 4-11 spoke about the accomplishments of the U.S. forces here, whose primary focus is security. He said last month troops detained 28 suspected terrorists, including five suspected cell leaders. While he is satisfied with the level of security in Qayyarah, he is still concerned with towns to the north and south.

"I need your help to talk to these leaders to talk to them about peace and security," he said.

He also announced that a proposal for an Iraqi police academy at Q-West had been approved and will be starting next month. He said 250 recruits will begin an 11-week training to become officers.

Even with nearly 100 in attendance, Wuestner noted the low turnout for the meeting due to two factors; the cold, rainy conditions that made some travel difficult and the increased price of fuel, which was a major concern for the leaders present Monday.

Fuel prices have tripled since the Iraqi government announced Dec. 18 the beginning of a fuel stabilization program. The government implemented this to abide by International Monetary Fund requirements, the fund is an international assistance organization with 184 member countires.

In return, Iraq was granted a $670 million dollar loan for rebuilding projects. But residents are still irked by the increases. The price for fuel has essentially tripled, now hovering around 150 dinar, or about 10 cents a liter.

"As we understand it, the gas price will not drop and they will stay at the same levels," Wuestner said.

The issue of electrical power was also a major topic of discussion for the leaders, who at times got boisterous and animated with the local engineer in charge of the power supply.

The average power in all of Iraq is on 12 hours a day, which meets international standards, but not always the satisfaction of the leaders. But Wuestner reminded the leaders that the power grid is simply not large enough to support the growing region just yet.

Aside from fuel prices and power, unemployment is a major concern in this area. U.S. forces are trying to assist local leaders with planning and attaining funds for civic improvements that will also offer jobs for residents.

After the official meeting the leaders joined together for a lunch of lamb, rice and flat bread and the meat of the discussions.

The local leaders crowded around the Iraqi army officials, Wuestner and captains who help direct civil projects. Capt. Jeffery Ferguson, Alpha Battery, discussed several local projects with the leaders in his area of responsibility.

There's been work on roads, schools, clinics, posters for bus stops, organized trash pickups and other projects. Monday, he and Sheik Mohmod al tabar Al Jubory and Mayor Saleh heseen Ali were deciding how to organize some work on three local schools.

The improvements being pitched are basic: new windows, doors, paint and heaters. The projects would also offer job opportunities and experience to local residents. "It's real simple labor," Ferguson said. "Unskilled labor."

Ferguson and the men discussed hiring one contractor to oversee all three projects. The men first balked at this, wanting to give the opportunity to more than one person. But Ferguson said by consolidating the project under one contractor, it makes it easier to get the funds approved.

Ferguson also handed over a hand-written request to Ali from a resident for a park and soccer field to be built at one of the schools. The resident gave the proposal to Ferguson but he turned it over to Ali, he said, because he wants the Iraqi leaders to start taking control of such decisions.

Ali told Ferguson he would reject the proposal. "This is not important," he said. "The school is more important. This is nice to have, but we have to have the important stuff first."

After agreeing on how to go about the school improvements, Al Jubory said he wanted to talk about security. He said he was concerned with the handover of power scheduled to take place today when the 4-11 officially turns over a portion of its battle space to an Iraqi battalion.

He is concerned about the coalition forces' reduced role and if the Iraqi forces can step up and provide the same level of security. "The Iraqi army is not strong enough," he said through an interpreter. "They still need help."

But Ferguson reassured Al Jubory that the handover does not mean U.S. forces are leaving the Iraqi army high-and-dry, just that they are taking a backseat to a capable local security force. Ferguson said the U.S. forces will still be available to the Iraqi forces when needed and will continue to work with local leaders on civic projects.

"We will be here a very long time helping Iraqi people," Ferguson said.

Margaret Friedenauer is embedded with the 172nd Stryker Combat Team in Iraq. Contact her and read her stories and behind-the-scenes blog entries at www.newsminer.com/iraq.