Posted on 11/29/2007 2:22:10 AM PST by FreedomWriter45
Nathan Ritzo: Leaders meet to boost reconciliation efforts in Iraq By NATHAN RITZO
Monday, Nov. 26, 2007
Iraqi Shi'ite and Sunni leaders reached out to each other in the District of Taji on Nov. 8 to discuss the future of northern Baghdad Province. The conference was part of the "Taji Awakening," an historic political reconciliation between Iraqi Shi'ites and Sunnis in the region.
Shi'ite and Sunni tribal leaders from across Iraq met with officials from the Iraqi government, military and security forces to discuss expanding the new alliance between Iraq's Shi'ite and Sunni communities to combat Al Qaeda's presence in the region. Also discussed was how to improve the quality of life in northern Baghdad Province after decades of oppression under Saddam Hussein, four years of terrorist occupation in the Taji region, and sectarian fighting after the regime change.
Security was provided by Coalition personnel and Iraqi Security Forces, and there were no reported incidents. This was significant, as reconciliation events are frequently targeted by terrorists.
Col. Mike Bridges, the Taji embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team deputy team leader, was in attendance. According to Bridges, there were approximately 100 senior leadership representatives of the Taji/Abu Ghraib-area city councils and tribal councils in attendance, along with 100 key staff and supporters.
"This gathering was intended to focus and further develop the relationships and integration of the heritage' tribal leaders with the official government bodies towards bringing essential government services to the rural districts surrounding Baghdad," explained Bridges. "The security situation has completely changed for the better. Now, the local leadership is asking the provincial and national government to provide these key services to the people who have been supportive of reconciliation and normalcy."
Sheik Nadim Al Sultan al-Tammi was the host of the event, and through an interpreter, Sheik al-Tammi expressed his enthusiasm for the conference. "I am really, really happy about the reconciliation," Sheik al-Tammi said, "and not just for us, but for the kids. The looks on the women's faces and children's faces (are happy now)."
Sheik al-Tammi said that breaking al Qaeda's control of the region has given way to a rebirth of opportunity in northern Baghdad Province. "(Under al Qaeda) nobody could go out. Nobody could walk. Nobody could go to the market. Nobody could (join the Iraqi Security Forces). Nobody could get an education," said al-Tammi.
Sheik al-Tammi thanked the U.S-led Coalition Forces for securing the area through this year's troop surge, which has enabled the reconciliation between Shi'ites and Sunnis in Baghdad Province.
Tom Burke is the team leader for the region's embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT), which played an important role in aiding the Iraqis to plan and organize the event.
"Today the principle members of each of the tribes are present," Burke said. He continued by saying that the Iraqis selected who would attend the conference, and not the Coalition. "They did the selection. Not us. These are the key players for them," he said.
The conference began with speakers addressing the attendees on their concerns for the future of the Taji area and the various problems specific to the different tribes living in the region.
The conference became more informal as the day progressed; the attendees mingled with one another over lunch to further discuss matters concerning the reconciliation process, repairing infrastructure damage and the future of the region.
Nathan Ritzo is a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He is currently serving his second tour in Iraq with the U.S. Army and is writing this column to share his thoughts and perspectives of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a Reservist who is currently attached to the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion, out of Miami, Fla. His email is Nathan.Ritzo@gmail.com.
We were strictly forbidden to take any ground convoys in that area; all transportation was done by helicopter because the roads were so dangerous, and the helicopters were frequently shot at.
It's good to see Taji settling down at long last.
Oh no, more bad news for the demonRATs from Iraq. I don’t worry though, they {and the msm} will just deny that we are winning the battle of Iraq in the WAR ON TERRORISM.
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