Posted on 10/03/2006 5:27:09 PM PDT by SandRat
BAQUBAH - “The continuation of this mission and the success of the U.S. Military and U.S. Government in Iraq will really be solved with meetings like I just went through,” said Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, commander, 25th Infantry Division and Task Force Lightning.
Mixon was referring to his meeting with Diyala Provincial Governor Ra’ad Rashid Mulla Juwad Al-Timimi at the Governor’s Center in Baqubah, Iraq.
The main issue was the continued funding to the Iraqi Government for reconstruction and support for the Iraqi Army and Police.
“There is not an ultimate military solution in this; it has to be a political solution for all the citizens in Iraq to feel like they have a part in the government,” Mixon said.
One of the sheiks in attendance told Mixon the key to securing Baghdad was first ensuring the safety and prosperity of Diyala Province.
“I agree with him to a certain extent,” Mixon commented at Forward Operating Base Warhorse where 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division will be operating under the direction of the 25th Infantry Division and Task Force Lightning. “It is true because of the amount of agriculture and the ethnic makeup of Diyala and the proximity to Iran; the fact that it is one of the key provinces in the area, it is certainly key to the stability in Baghdad.”
Another point made during the meeting was the improvement in relations of the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Police. The Iraqi Army has vowed to supply the Diyala Police with 1,000 AK-47 rifles to help combat the insurgency in the area.
“This is an excellent example of the fact that the IA and the IP can solve their own problems,” Mixon said. “The decision to transfer the weapons was made by their organizations not by the U.S. government or not by the 25th Infantry Division. They can solve their problems when they work together.”
The 25th Infantry Division took over for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Mixon admitted progress, but said there are still tough challenges ahead.
“The reconstruction part is the most important piece and that is going to be very long term,” he said. “We must get the central government (of Iraq) to fund and support the government here (in Diyala) and show the people that there is security and that there is going to be a better life for them in the province.”
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