Iraqi Army Seizes 20 Trucks of Black Market Oil
QAYARRAH, Iraq, March 16, 2007 - Iraqi army soldiers seized a convoy of 20 illegal fuel trucks carrying crude oil in the Qayarrah region, south of Mosul, Feb. 20.
Crude oil is often sold on the black market in the Irbil Province, which has an oil refinery in eastern Iraq. Profits are believed to fund terrorism.
"We know black market (oil) profits are...used to support anti-Iraqi forces," said Master Sgt. Hernan Rincon, intelligence noncommissioned officer-in-charge for the "Black Dragons," 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, out of Fort Bliss, Texas.
Iraqi army soldiers, manning a check point, stopped the convoy of vehicles after determining they were illegal based on fake documents the drivers were carrying. "As far as coalition forces and the Iraqi army are concerned, (oil smuggling is) a criminal act that the IPs deal with," said 1st Lt. Alexander Moen, a native of Winnebago, Ill.
"Once the (Iraqi Army) realized this was just illegal (oil) smuggling they contacted the IPs and the IPs came," Moen said, "It's a good working relationship between the two of them; it's a big step forward for the area."
It was also a big step forward for the Iraqi army and soldiers of 1st Platoon, Battery B, who a month prior had trained the Iraqi Army on these types of patrol operations. The platoon worked with them in the area to teach them how to search vehicles and how to spot fake documents.
Iraq ‘Headed in the Right Direction,’ Outgoing U.S. Ambassador Says
WASHINGTON, March 26, 2007 – Several positive developments indicate that Iraq’s leaders and its people will eventually surmount insurgent violence occurring in the country and ultimately achieve stability, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Iraq told reporters in Baghdad today.
“In my view, although difficult challenges lie ahead, and there is a long way to go, Iraq is fundamentally headed in the right direction and success is possible,” Zalmay Khalilzad said at the news briefing.
President Bush has nominated Khalilzad, who has served as the top U.S. diplomat in Iraq for the past 21 months, to become the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Taking stock of the situation in Iraq, Khalilzad said he’s buoyed and “cautiously optimistic” about that country’s future due to several indicators:
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The early success of the Operation Law and Order anti-terrorist campaign in Baghdad and western Iraq.
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The improved performance of Iraqi soldiers and police.
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The Iraqi government’s example of dealing evenhandedly with lawbreakers.
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More Iraqis are turning their backs on al Qaeda.
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Some Iraqi insurgent groups have agreed to fight al Qaeda terrorists and work toward reconciliation.
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Iraq’s leaders are reaching out to include all Iraqis in the sharing of the country’s oil wealth.
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Improvement in Iraq’s economic situation.
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Iraqi leaders’ comprehensive plan to achieve national reconciliation and stability.
Indeed, ongoing joint U.S., coalition and Iraqi security operations in Baghdad “appear to be having a positive effect,” Khalilzad said, noting violence has decreased in Iraq’s capital city by about 25 percent since Operation Law and Order began in mid-February.
The Iraqi security forces “are performing better and they are doing better in terms of carrying their share of the burden,” Khalilzad pointed out. Iraqis seem to appreciate the presence of their soldiers and police on the streets to help effect stability, he said, noting citizen-provided tips about insurgent activity have been flowing in steadily.
Also, the Iraqi government is bolstering its credibility among its citizens, Khalilzad said, by dispensing justice fairly without discriminating against any one group. Iraqi involvement with al Qaeda is on the wane, Khalilzad said, adding that some insurgent elements have openly turned against al Qaeda.
Bagram PRT rebuilds Afghanistan one school at a time
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNEWS) -- The Air Force-led Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team attended a ceremony March 26 marking the first day of class at a high school in Kapisa Province.
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General Miller said teaching children the importance of education can help build a stronger economy for Afghanistan and bring pride to its people.
Several additional key speakers addressed the crowd of hundreds of children, parents, students, educators and onlookers. After the speeches, a school bell was rung eight times to signify the beginning of a new school year.
During a tree-planting ceremony, an abundance of smiles flashed on many Afghan faces. Soon after, the school tour began where Air Force and Army personnel helped distribute the school supplies.
Inside a packed classroom, a group of schoolgirls stood awaiting their supplies. They each received several pens, markers, rulers and notebooks.
The governor of Kapisa Province, Abdul Satar Murad, was proud of what the ceremony meant to his people. Governor Murad said this is a great step for the security, reconstruction and future of Afghanistan.
"We feel great that our American friends are sincerely helping us rebuild our country and its capacity," he said. "We're very thankful for their assistance because a friend in need is a friend indeed."
With a healthy mixture of U.S. military and coalition forces, the PRT works to promote the conditions for a self-sufficient, secure and stable environment.
Once a PRT contract is awarded, the contractor hires local villagers to produce the work and labor.
"The idea is to keep the money in the village and district," said Army Maj. Donald Johnson, Civil-Military Operations director. According to Major Johnson, the villagers put their time, sweat and effort into a project and take ownership of it.
