Posted on 08/10/2008 2:04:38 PM PDT by SandRat
COMBAT OUTPOST OLD MOD — Twice a month, tribal sheiks and religious leaders from the Sadr City District of northern Baghdad gather to discuss progress on reconstruction efforts and to identify other areas of need.
During this meeting, Aug. 9, electricity was the main focus of discussion as members of the Ministry of Electricity were in attendance.
“I think the most important thing about the meeting is the tribal sheiks and the religious leaders who represent leaders of Sadr City, had an opportunity to meet and interface with key people from the Government of Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Peter Pierce, Human Terrain Team leader, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Pierce, a Yorba Linda, Calif., native, attends the meetings along with other leaders from the U.S. military. He helps keep the meetings on task, but the discussion and resolutions are voiced by the Iraqi attendees.
Concerns were raised about the amount of electricity being provided to the city and how that can increase. However, no decisions were reached, which, Pierce said, is typical of the gatherings.
“The meetings present a forum for people to first meet and to introduce one another,” he said. “I would say that, realistically, probably most of the real work is done in side meetings or in less formal working group meetings after these formal meetings.”
Additionally, the new Iraqi Police chief for the district was introduced to the attendees. Brig. Gen. Hassan said he was eager to begin working to increase the security and stability of Sadr City.
“We have weapons and we’re ready to begin joint patrols with the Iraqi Army,” he said. “We’re willing to cooperate with the people of Sadr City in any way possible.”
After a lunch break, the meeting reconvened to discuss reconstruction projects and an open discussion on other areas of need.
“Like all these other meetings, they can sometimes be contentious, but overall it was a positive meeting,” Pierce said.
This is the stuff that wins the peace. Good post, glad to see this sort of grass-roots-level progress. And in Sadr City!! Who’d a thunk a year ago?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.