CPA Briefing on Fallujah....

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NEWS TRANSCRIPT from the United States Department of Defense

DoD News Briefing
Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, Commander, Coalition Ground Forces
Thursday, April 8, 2004


GEN. SANCHEZ: Let me start out with an opening statement, and then
I've got only about -- a total of about 30, 40 minutes today. I've got another
meeting to go to fairly quickly, so we'll open it up to your questions. And I
don't think there's much going on out there in the battlespace, right?



Well, coalition offensive and civil military operations continue
throughout the country, as we focus on multiple objectives: restoring order and
eliminating anti-coalition forces in Fallujah, destroying Sadr's militia in the
central and southern provinces, and continuing progress in rebuilding
infrastructure, the economy, and the transition to Iraqi sovereignty.



Coalition and Iraqi security forces are conducting deliberate, precise
and robust combat operations to separate, isolate and destroy the enemy wherever we
find him on the battlefield. We cannot tolerate acts of violence directed against
the Iraqi people and its fundamental governing, religious and security structures.
There is no place within the democratic system of Iraq for a renegade militia that
chooses to intimidate and terrorize the people while seeking to control the basic
institutions of the country with a violent power play.



Coalition forces began preparations for Operation Vigilant Resolve
following the March 31st killings of four contractors in Fallujah, and the five
soldiers near Habbaniya. In addition, last Sunday's peaceful demonstrations to
protest the closing of the Al-Hawza newspaper and arrest of Muqtada al-Sadr's
lieutenant, Mustafa Yacoubi, turned violent in Najaf and Baghdad. This was
following al-Sadr's call to arms, directing his militia to attack the democratic
foundation of the country -- government buildings, Iraqi security forces, and
police stations.



These violent attacks extended into other parts of the south, with
engagements in An Najaf, Karbala, Al Kut, Basra, and a number of other cities.



Today in Fallujah, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the with the
Iraqi Civil Defense Corps continue Operation Vigilant Resolve. They have made
tremendous progress in restoring legitimate authority to Fallujah. There has been
enemy resistance but fellow Iraqis and coalition forces continue the relentless
pursuit of key targets in the heart of Fallujah. But the progress has been
measurable.



The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and the coalition forces will conduct a
deliberate, sustained operation that will eventually transition to stability
operations once are objectives have been achieved. The Marines are making great
progress, and I am totally confident that we will succeed. The security situation
will improve over the days and weeks ahead.



Once the security situation in Fallujah is stabilized, the citizens in
Fallujah will find no better friend than the Marines of the 1st Expeditionary
Force. They are experts at civil military operations, and they have substantial
resources available to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Fallujah. (this is for you Hoss )
That has been our commitment to the people of this country as long as we have been
here, and we definitely intend to fulfill that promise. There is a new dawn
approaching that will bring a bright, secure future to those Iraqis who have chosen
to support freedom and democracy. That is what we stand for, that is what Iraqis
expect, and that is what we are committed to in this country.



In the center and southern regions of Iraq, coalition and Iraqi
security forces have commenced Operation Resolute Sword to destroy the militia
forces of Muqtada al-Sadr. In Baghdad our forces remain on the offensive,
conducting intelligence-based raids to destroy Sadr's militia as they attempt to
intimidate the population. Despite attempts to incite violence, attack government
facilities and disrupt the lives of Iraqi citizens, coalition units are in firm
control of the city of Baghdad. No government or police buildings are in the hands
of the insurgents, and the number of attacks by illegal militias has been
substantially reduced.



In a number of cities in southern Iraq, new engagements by Sadr's
militia are being met by a determined coalition response. Offensive operations
will continue to take the fight to Sadr's militia, its leaders and facilitators.
Sadr's gang is attempting without success to sabotage progress toward a free and
independent Iraq. It is attempting to intimidate the majority of moderate citizens
of the country who seek democracy and a society that is ruled by law, and not by
the barrel of a gun.



Rightly, the vast majority of Iraqis reject this message, and the
coalition and Iraqi security forces will continue to attack to destroy this
disruptive force and to kill or capture its membership and its leadership.



My assessment is that we will continue to see this violence for some
time until Muqtada al-Sadr turns himself in or his militia is destroyed. Coalition
military forces will conduct powerful, deliberate, very robust military operations
until the job is done. We are committed, and we will not be deterred. Let there
be no doubt we will continue the attacks until Sadr's influence is eliminated and
Sadr's militia is no longer a threat to Iraq and its citizens.



As the coalition forces continue to reduce extremist elements in the
country, we also stand ready to provide a measure of Arba'in observances. There is
no doubt that extremists and terrorists are plotting to interfere with these holy
observances in order to create chaos and promote sectarian violence. Terrorists
like the Zarqawi network have declared their intent to kill Shi'a, and we would
expect that they would attempt to use the recent violence and the Arba'in
pilgrimage as an opportunity to strike at the Iraqi people again.



The citizens of Iraq must be particularly vigilant during these
observances. We have taken all possible precautions in coordination with Iraqi
security forces; national, regional and local government and religious authorities
-- in an effort to minimize the risk to the civilian population that will be
participating in these pilgrimages. We caution all pilgrims that the holy cities
are potentially dangerous places during this period. We will be prepared to assist
in the event of any violence.



As you know, CJTF-7 is in the middle of a major troop rotation, and
this provides an increased number of U.S. troops in the country. We are taking
advantage of these forces, and we will manage the redeployment to give us the
combat power that is necessary to accomplish the missions at hand.



Let me finish at this point. But before taking your questions let me
reemphasize that the coalition forces are clear in their purpose to provide a safe
and secure environment for the people of Iraq. We will not let a small group of
criminals and thugs control the destiny of this country. We will not let
terrorists inspire and create sectarian violence. The overwhelming majority of
Iraqis seek democracy and sovereignty, and the coalition shares in those
aspirations. We remain resolute in our purpose, and the people of Iraq can be
assured of our resolve. We will maintain stability in Iraq and continue the
forward progress to democracy and to sovereignty. I will now take your questions.


(if you want to read the Q&A: http://trackpads.com/newsletters/vie...c461f9691a655c )