Iraqi officials meet to discuss security

[NYVet]

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14554&Itemid=128


BAGHDAD — Iraqi government officials, Iraqi national police leadership and concerned citizens from the Mada’in Qada met at the 1st National Police Headquarters at Forward Operating Base Volunteer in the International Zone, Oct. 9, to discuss coordinating their efforts to bring more security to the qada.

“Today was a great day to see the Iraqi government, Iraqi security forces and concerned citizens come together to secure the future of the Mada’in Qada,” said Lt. Col. Ryan J. Kuhn from Clarks, Neb., the deputy commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 3rd Infantry Division.

Maj. Gen. Riadh, the 9th National Police Division commander and Rusafa area commander, and Maj. Gen. Kareem, the 1st National Police Division commander and deputy Rusafa commander, both outlined their security plans for Lt. Gen. Abud, the Baghdad operations center commander, and the concerned citizens in attendance.

“Brothers, whatever we do, if we do not have the proper planning it will fail,” Kareem said through an interpreter. “It is like a house without a strong foundation, no matter how high it is built it will eventually fall.”

Riadh stressed that the local concerned citizens are a key component in the security of the qada.

“As leaders, we have wanted to secure our area, despite the obstacles, for some time now,” Riadh said through an interpreter. “We cannot achieve peace in the area without the help of our brothers here.”

Concerned citizens spoke about the plans put out before them and voiced their support.

“It is good that concerned citizens voiced their pledge to work with the Iraqi security forces to secure their neighborhoods and allow freedom of movement for all the people of the Mada’in Qada,” Kuhn said.

Brig. Gen. James Huggins from Augusta, Ga., the deputy commanding general for maneuver for the 3rd Infantry Division, and Col. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., from Prince George’s County, Md., the commander of the 3rd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., were both participants in the meeting.

Grigsby outlined how the 3rd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., Iraqi national police and local concerned citizens have worked together successfully in past operations in the Gada. He is confident that the same cooperation will make future operations between the three groups equally successful.

At the end of the meeting, all parties agreed to meet again to discuss future operations and how to go forward with the concerned citizens program.

The 3rd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. out of Fort Benning, Ga., has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March, 2007.