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DoD Update on Ongoing Security Operations in NW Iraq

Jan-15-2005 » Filed Under: TF Olympia

Brig. Gen. Carter Ham conducted a lengthy press briefing today to discuss the situation in Mosul and the upcoming elections. Worth reading in full.

Link to Full Transcript

MODERATOR: Thank you for joining us today from Baghdad, general. Most of you I think know our briefer here today is Brigadier General Carter Ham. He's the commander of the Multinational Brigade-Northwest, and he's also the commander of Task Force Olympia. General Ham and his troops are responsible for the ongoing security operations in northwestern Iraq, and he's here today to update us on those efforts. And I think he has a few comments that he'd like to make, and then we'll start with some questions in Baghdad, and perhaps a few here. General.

GEN. HAM: Okay, well thank you, Brian. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen -- and I guess good morning for those of you who are in Washington. It is indeed a privilege for me to be here today, representing the men and women of the Multinational Brigade-Northwest. We're headquartered in Mosul, I think as most of you know.

The service, the sacrifice, of these great soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors, our coalition partners and the many civilian and contract employees should make all of us very proud. Much of what they do goes unnoticed each and every day, but their contributions to the people of Iraq are making a difference each and every day.

Two months ago, the security situation in Mosul was rather tenuous. Many of you recall the 10th and 11th of November, when police largely failed, and the insurgents conducted widespread attacks. Then, on the 21st of December, a murderous attack killed 22, and wounded over 70. More recently, the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq staff largely quit in Nineweh Province. Insurgents have mounted a gruesome campaign of murder, threats and intimidation.

But those events have not deterred us. And, more importantly, they have not deterred the good people of northern Iraq. And on the 30th of January there will be elections in Mosul, and there will be elections throughout Nineweh Province. It's not going to be easy, but it will be done.

The elections will be possible because of the close partnership between the coalition and the Iraqi security forces. The Iraqi army, National Guard and Ministry of Interior forces, along with increased coalition force presence are helping to improve the security situation in Mosul and throughout Nineweh Province day by day.

The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq staff has returned to Mosul, and in cooperation with the provincial government the Nineweh Province Council, many local mayors, the IECI is reestablishing the processes needed to support voting and registration on January 30th.

There are other positive signs. The interim Iraqi government has assigned a new police chief, a man who has accepted truly a monumental challenge to rebuild a very large police force, one that had been ruined by his predecessor. The chancellor of Mosul University has been replaced -- a very positive step forward. These and other measures by the interim Iraqi government offer what the people of Mosul and the people of the north want most, and that is hope -- hope for a better future for them and for their families; a better future that begins on January 30th, when the people of northern Iraq -- Arabs, Kurds, Turkoman, Yazidis, Christian and all others -- will vote to determine their own destiny. All of us in Multinational Brigade-Northwest are honored to serve in partnership with these brave Iraqis and look forward to working together with them as we move forward to a bright future.

I'd be glad to take some questions, I think first from here. Yes, sir, please?

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