Elections in Iraq ...

Woodmonkey · 01-09-2005, 20:01

Violence Escalates as Crackdown on Insurgents Continues in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2005 -- Shortly after a U.S. Army general in Iraq predicted a surge in attacks with the approach of the Iraq elections, militants have abducted several senior Iraqi officials, beheaded an Iraqi who worked for the coalition and killed at least four others, according to today's press reports.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Erwin F. "Erv" Lessel, deputy operations director for Multinational Force Iraq, said during a Jan. 7 interview with Fox News Channel that increased violence was likely as insurgents continued their attempt to derail the election process.

Today, media reports say gunman abducted four public officials from Salah Ad Din province. Details of the reported incidents and names of those involved could not yet be confirmed at press time.

http://www.dod.mil/news/Jan2005/n010...005010804.html

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U.S. General: Terrorists Afraid of Vote in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2005 -- Terrorists use many different weapons and tactics to instill fear among Iraqis, but the one thing they're afraid of is a successful election in Iraq.

"While the terrorists use car bombs, … improvised explosive devices, and other weapons to instill terror, the terrorists are afraid of one thing: and that's a piece of paper called a ballot," Air Force Brig. Gen. Erv Lessel said during an interview today on Fox News Channel.

Lessel, deputy operations director for Multinational Force Iraq, said many people outside of Iraq don't have an accurate picture of the security situation in the country.

"I think that if you look at the whole picture, you'll see that in 14 of the 18 provinces today, it's relatively safe and secure," he said. "What you tend to see is the violence that occurs, those spectacular events caused by the terrorists, the car bombings and the mass casualties."

Lessel also briefly described how Iraqi and multinational forces will work in layers to secure polling places during elections scheduled for Jan. 30. Iraqi police will provide close-in security at polling stations and work to protect "citizens as they come and go from voting," the general said.

Iraqi National Guard and army soldiers will be a second layer of security, while multinational forces will be still farther out acting as a quick reaction force "able to respond if and when needed," he said.

http://www.dod.mil/news/Jan2005/n010...005010705.html

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Iraqi Candidates Launch Political Campaigns

Voters look for answers on jobs, health care, crime

Washington – Political parties and candidates on the ballot for Iraq’s January 30 elections have begun reaching out to voters through public rallies, private gatherings and poster campaigns. The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) declared January 2 the official starting date for the electoral campaign, and candidates will have until January 28 to communicate their views to the voters.

The January 30 election will determine the composition of a 275-seat Transitional National Assembly and fill the seats of governorate councils in each of Iraq’s 18 provinces. Voters in the Kurdish region will also be electing a Kurdistan National Assembly.

The dynamics of the campaign vary across different parts of the country. A senior State Department official in Baghdad explained that campaigning in Shi’a areas generally takes place in public rallies sponsored by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and in husseiniyyas, which are mosque-based community centers. These gatherings are forums for both candidates and local community leaders to express their views on the upcoming elections.

The official said that candidates are also seeking the support of tribal sheikhs and leading clerics.

He said that NGO’s are almost entirely responsible for sponsoring campaign activities in the Kurdish region. He noted that the Kurds have a better-established civil society and greater experience with elections given their relative autonomy from the regime in Baghdad since the early 1990s.

Both the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have networks of civic organizations including women’s groups, student groups and professional groups, which they are mobilizing for the campaign. The KDP and the PUK have formed a joint party list, the Kurdistan Alliance, to compete for seats in the Transitional National Assembly, which will be charged with writing Iraq’s new constitution.

The official said that posters are going up across Baghdad advertising the party symbols and ballot numbers for various party lists. It is important for parties to communicate their ballot numbers since voters will be allowed to choose only one entry out of more than 100 parties and independent candidates running for seats on the assembly.

He said that candidates in Sunni areas are also speaking to voters at private gatherings in people’s homes. Working through networks of friends and associates, they find opportunities to address potential supporters in informal settings.

Unemployment, health care and crime are the issues weighing most heavily on the minds of the Iraqi voters, according to a survey commissioned by the International Republican Institute (IRI). The survey, conducted by an Iraqi polling firm, included interviews with nearly 2,000 eligible voters from across Iraq in late November and early December of 2004.

More than a quarter of respondents said they would base their votes on candidates’ and parties’ views regarding important issues and constitutional matters. On the economy, voters said they wanted to hear proposals for job creation and wage increases. On social issues, they are looking for greater access to basic education, an increased role for religion in state affairs, and better access to health care. On security matters, voters want to see an increase in the number and training of police officers.

Voters in the survey expressed a strong preference for national, unitary, cosmopolitan, faith-based and intellectual parties.

The poll also indicated that 84 percent of Iraqis intend to vote in the January 30 elections. The numbers are in excess of 90 percent in predominantly Shi’a and Kurdish areas. In Sunni areas, the numbers are closer to 55 percent.

The State Department official noted that senior Shi’a cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has issued a fatwa, or religious edict, telling people that it is their duty to vote.* He said that this is having a tremendous impact on voter intentions in Shi’a areas.* He also observed that the Kurds have more experience with elections and are therefore more comfortable with the process.

The majority of the respondents in the IRI survey who said they do not intend to vote offered no explanation for their decision. However, 12 percent cited the security situation as a factor, and only 2 percent said they had chosen to refrain from voting due to a call for a boycott of the elections.

The State Department official said the IECI and security forces are studying ways to adjust their plans in order to ensure greater security on election day, particularly in Sunni areas. He said they would likely scale back the number of polling sites, with an eye to choosing easily defensible locations, and increase the number of voting stations at each site in order to process voters more rapidly.

He added that arrangements are being made for people who were displaced from their homes in Fallujah to vote at alternative locations.

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/di...wf-latest.html

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Strong U.S. Military Presence Enhances Iraq Election Security

Number of insurgent attacks in Baghdad has declined

Washington -- More than 35,000 U.S. troops will be out in force to enhance security in Baghdad before and during the January 30 Iraqi national elections, a senior U.S. general says.

"While insurgent activity in Baghdad will likely spike as the Iraqi people approach their elections and the insurgents become more desperate, we will continue to focus on providing an environment in which Iraqis can conduct their elections without insurgent interference," Major General Peter W. Chiarelli said at a news conference from Baghdad January 5.

Chiarelli, commanding officer of the Army's 1st Cavalry Division, says that polling done by Iraqis in Baghdad indicate at least 80 percent of voters in the capital want to elect a new National Assembly on January 30. Insurgents, waging an ongoing campaign of attacks in Baghdad and other cities across the country, have been attempting to sabotage the national election.

Chiarelli added that his Task Force Baghdad has been effective in significantly reducing the number of street attacks in the capital city.* "For every one that you've seen go off [bombings], I've found another one or broke up a cell that is placing another one," he said. "The total number of attacks in Baghdad has gone down."

However, Chiarelli said he could not guarantee that there will not be any violence in Baghdad during the elections; "in fact, we should expect there will be," *he said.

Iraqis, for their part, he said, are providing support to coalition and Iraqi security efforts. He said Iraqis have been calling a tip line and paying attention to billboards that seek help in reporting weapons-cache locations or suspicious activities.

He added that despite the attacks in recent months, Iraqis continue to want to join the National Guard and police force.

"We're having no problems recruiting and keeping our units filled up, and that is a good thing, and it is truly amazing. They want to get out there," Chiarelli said.

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/di...wf-latest.html

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Fourteen Countries to Host Expatriate Iraqi Voting Sites

As many as 1 million Iraqi expatriates could be eligible to vote

Washington – Expatriate Iraqis will have the opportunity to vote in Iraq’s January 30 elections at out-of-country voting sites in 14 countries.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced January 5 that it has concluded agreements with Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, the last three countries on the list of nations that the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) identified as countries with significant Iraqi expatriate populations.

The IECI, which is the Iraqi national body charged with administering the elections, decided to open the vote to expatriate Iraqis and commissioned the IOM to manage the out-of-country voting (OCV) program in a memorandum of understanding signed in November 2004.

The IOM estimates that the 14 countries designated as OCV sites might have as many as 1 million Iraqi expatriates who are eligible to participate in the elections.

According to the Transitional Administrative Law, Iraqis are allowed to hold multiple citizenships. The law also restores citizenship to all Iraqis whose nationality was stripped under the previous regime for political, religious, racial or sectarian reasons.

Iraqis seeking to cast out-of-country ballots will be required to register in person at designated voting centers with documentation in support of their claims to Iraqi citizenship.* Registration will take place during the week of January 17. Voters will then have to return to the voting centers to cast their ballots between January 28 and 30.

Expatriate Iraqis will only be allowed to vote in the elections for the Transitional National Assembly, the 275-seat national legislature that will draft Iraq’s new constitution. They will not receive ballots for the provincial council elections.

A domestic Iraqi opinion poll, conducted in late November and early December 2004, indicated that more than 70 percent of the Iraqi population supports the right of expatriates to vote in the elections. The poll, which was commissioned by the International Republican Institute, surveyed the opinions of nearly 2,000 eligible voters across Iraq.

Countries with the largest estimated expatriate Iraqi populations are Syria, with 250,000; the United States, with 230,000; Jordan, with 180,000; and the United Kingdom, with 150,000.

In addition to these four countries, voting will be conducted in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, the Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Altogether, these 10 countries add an estimated 402,000 Iraqis to the expatriate total.

Expatriate Iraqis who live in other countries are allowed to vote at the OCV sites in one of the 14 designated countries, but they must make their own travel arrangements to register and vote in person at the polling station.

Votes will be counted in each of the 14 countries, and results will be submitted to the OCV headquarters in Amman, Jordan, where they will be compiled and sent to Baghdad.

The IOM is coordinating polling activities and security arrangements with the governments of each country and the local Iraqi communities.

Following is a list of the cities in which polling stations will be established:

-- Australia: Melbourne and Sydney

-- Canada: Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto

-- Denmark: Copenhagen

-- France: Paris

-- Germany: Berlin, Cologne, Mannheim and Munich

-- Iran: Ahvaz, Kermanshah, Mashhad, Orumiyeh, Qom and Tehran

-- Jordan: Amman

-- The Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Zwolle

-- Sweden: Gothenburg and Stockholm

-- Syria: Damascus

-- Turkey: Ankara, Istanbul

-- United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai

-- United Kingdom: Glasgow, London and Manchester

-- The United States: Chicago; Detroit; Los Angeles; Nashville, Tennessee; and Washington

http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/di...wf-latest.html

Woodmonkey · 01-10-2005, 13:22

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Marines prepare Karbala ING for elections

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KARBALA, Iraq (Jan. 10, 2004) -- Iraq's upcoming elections are less than a month away and both Iraq officials and coalition forces are concerned about security. Insurgents are desperately doing everything they can to disrupt or prevent them from happening altogether.

The Iraqi National Guard is going to be one of the main sources of security for voters and election officials alike and everything is being done to prepare them for the challenges looming less than 30 days ahead.

The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) is tasked with preparing the ING for that mission and many others.

"Our mission in Karbala, mine and Alpha Company's, is to prepare the 401st Battalion, to equip them, train them at the tactical level and in command and control at the battalion level," said 1st Lt. Ann G. Burke, ING liaison officer, 11th MEU (SOC). "We work hand in hand to make sure they have the resources and infrastructure they need to conduct training and missions."

According to Burke, when the MEU first came to Karbala in December, the biggest priority was to consolidate the 401st Battalion, which is currently split into four different locations throughout the province.

"Together, we came up with a plan to consolidate the battalion into two locations, one here in Karbala and the other to the southwest in the city of Ain Al Tamar," Burke said.

One other challenge the ING have faced was the lack of necessary facilities.

"They have no chow hall, right now all their food is delivered. They had no armory, no battalion aid station, and inadequate sleeping space," Burke said.

Furniture, tactical equipment like dust goggles, helmets, Small Arms Protective Insert plates, medium machine guns, ammunition have all recently been purchased, according to Burke.

"We've been doing all of that and should have everything they need delivered by January 15 and construction should be complete by middle of February," Burke explained. "Construction alone is costing $1.8 million and the gear is another half a million dollars but it's all necessary to get them ready."

Burke believes the ING will be ready to provide security for the elections.

"When I first came here, I thought the problem was going to be that we wouldn't be able to find Iraqis that wanted to fight against the militia," she explained. "That was the impression I got from the news media when I was back home. But actually it's a very different story. They do want a free country, they do recognize that it's had a significant impact. The terrorist network is a very small portion of the population and I think they're very proud to be part of the ING."

According to Burke, the issue really is that the coalition is trying to build an entire military force over a period of six months.

"Even though we're the United States it's not easy to build all the force structure and train all these people in such a short period of time." Burke said. "But I do believe they'll be ready for the elections. They're training hard, conducting patrols and manning checkpoints right now."

Captain Sean M. Roche, company commander, Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th MEU (SOC), said establishing the ING is a battle that's being fought on several fronts, mainly training and logistics.

"Logistics are key because not only do we want to give the Iraqis the tools that they need, we also want to show them how to continue on their own -- how to get their own barracks built, to get their own contractors, to understand the whole logistics process," said Roche, who's battalion is responsible for training the ING here.

When the ING ask for something, Burke knows if they can get it or if it's something they already have Roche said.

"It makes it much quicker for the Iraqis to get the gear they need and also shows them the process and steps it takes to get their own gear," Roche explained. "We're not only helping them out now but we're getting them ready for the future."

According to Burke, the ING has taken a lesson from the Marine Corps that the mission must be accomplished, no matter the circumstances.
"When they get everything that they need they'll be that much stronger because you've done without before," Burke continued. "Ironically, I think it may have done good for them to have to operate with very little."

According to Col. Hatam Hassan Ali, commanding officer, 51st ING Brigade, there have been a lot of changes since the Marines arrived in Karbala.
"The Marines have made a big difference," Ali said. "They have helped us get many of the things we need to operate effectively in the province."

Burke explained that the Marines are building a working relationship with the ING that requires a lot of patience.

"They understand they have a mission but they have difficulty dealing with the fact that it's not easy and it doesn't happen over night to get them equipped or to get them into structures where they can carry out their mission," Burke said.

On top of that, they're also very nervous because they have insurgents to fight and elections in a month -- they have a very important mission here.

"The ING want to do (their mission), they just want to make sure they have the resources to do it so they'll ask for everything they can," Burke said. "They know how important the elections are... and the ING will (provide security) with the resources we've provided."

According to Burke, the process of making Iraq independent is taking longer than many people expect but there is a lot of hope here.

"I think that at least in Ad Diwaniyah, An Najaf and Karbala where the 11th MEU (SOC) is operating, the ING will be ready and have everything that they need to provide security during the elections," Burke said.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...0?opendocument

Woodmonkey · 01-10-2005, 18:55

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UK to send 400 extra troops for Iraq

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An extra 400 British troops are to be deployed to southeast Iraq to bolster security in the run-up to elections on January 30, Geoff Hoon said today.

But the Defence Secretary outraged the Opposition and Liberal Democrats by "slipping out" word of the deployment during ministerial questions, instead of making a formal announcement to the Commons.

Mr Hoon told MPs that the soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers were being sent "for a limited period of time" on the recommendation of the British commanding officer on the ground.

"The Armed Forces’ principal role in Iraq is helping to provide the security conditions for reconstruction and political development," he said.

"We are focused on developing the capability and capacity of the Iraqi security forces; 115,000 Iraqi security personnel are now trained, equipped and operating.

"On the recommendation of the General Officer Commanding we will soon be deploying the extremely-high-readiness reserve battalion for Operation Telic, which is 1st Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers, from Cyprus to MND south east for a limited period of time in support of election security.

"Four hundred extra troops will be deployed to Iraq."

Keith Simpson, the Tory Defence Spokesman, said the that important announcement concerning a "very serious" situation had not been released properly.

"It is not sufficient for you to do this. There should be a statement - there are many colleagues on all sides of the House who would like the opportunity to press you on this," Mr Simpson said.

But Mr Hoon said everyone had been aware that the troops were being held "at very, very high readiness specifically for this purpose".

"You are making the cheapest party political points out of something that is very important and very serious," he said. And he said the move had "no relevance whatsoever" to controversial changes to the regimental structure announced before Christmas.

Paul Keetch, the Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesman, also attacked the decision to reveal the deployment during question time.

"It comes at a time when newspaper reports in the United States are talking about their forces becoming hit squads; it comes at a time when a senior US general is visiting Iraq to determine the process and the role of forces there; and it comes at a time when our own Prime Minister has said that he is in discussion with President Bush about the future role of British forces in Iraq, " Mr Keetch said.

"The announcement today should have been properly discussed in a statement, not simply slipped out."

The Labour backbencher Mike Gapes, who recently visited Iraq as a member of the Defence Select Committee, asked for reassurance that there would be no "precipitate" withdrawal of British troops from Iraq. "We started this, we have to see it through," he said.

Mr Hoon replied: "We will be there so long as we are needed, so long as there is a requirement for external forces to assist in the preservation of security. Our real ambition is to ensure the training and expertise available to the Iraqi security forces, so they can assume responsibility for their own security."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...434593,00.html

Woodmonkey · 01-13-2005, 17:34

Marines patrol Iraqi villages, ensure security prior to elections
Submitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200511354158
Story by Cpl. Paul Leicht

AR RAMADI, Iraq (Jan 13, 2005) -- Handfuls of Iraqi children greeted the Marine patrol as it wound along muddy farm fields joining a quiet, palm tree-lined village. Handing out candy and a few soccer balls on the windy day, a few Marines traded friendly waves and clowning smiles as they marched along with the movement of their platoon.

Like their predecessors in previous conflicts, today’s Marine infantry in Iraq are reinforcing a good relationship between government and local civilians with foot patrols on the front lines of an insurgency.

The value of ‘boots on the ground’ patrolling operations is helping ensure security in Iraq prior to elections January 30.

“The main objective behind our patrols is to simply make a presence, police the area, improve relations and gather intelligence from sources about any insurgent activity in the area,” said Staff Sgt. William R. Gilman, 1st platoon commander, Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, and a 33-year-old from Dallas. “Before this country can hold elections, it’s important that we help make the population feel more safe and secure. Villagers may be hesitant to go to the polls if they feel terrorists could attack them or their children. In addition to other operations, by patrolling on a frequent basis we are sending more than just a message of order and security.”

As part of the patrols, the efforts of Marine human intelligence teams and Arabic interpreters work to facilitate cooperation and understanding between the Marines and village leaders.

While visiting friendly contacts, village leaders and schools, the Marine reservists of “Bravo” Co. are also handing out more than sweets, toys and other supplies as they accomplish their mission.

“Hopefully our patrols spread more goodwill and show the Iraqi people that we—not the terrorists—are their best friends,” said 30-year-old Sgt. Kyle McCracken, squad leader, 1st platoon, “Bravo” Co., 1/23, and a native of Van, Texas.

Following recent terrorist attacks on Iraqi police and the insurgency’s voter intimidation campaign against civilians, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s said Jan. 11 that certain parts of his country may yet remain unsafe for nationwide polls.

The constant presence of the Marines on patrol is a potent step for success, ensuring regional security and the freedom of the Iraqi people.

“Whenever we come out here on patrol the kids are especially happy to see us,” said Pfc. William Marsh, rifleman and radio operator for 1st platoon, “Bravo” Co., 1/23, and a 19-year-old student from Katy, Texas. “We’re making a powerful stamp on the successful future of Iraq and that’s why it’s important for us to be here.”

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...6?opendocument