CPA SOUTH: NEWS UPDATE – 10 JULY

 

The Coalition Provisional Authority for the Southern Region, in co-operation with the new Basra Interim Council and the Coalition forces, is working extremely hard to tackle the key issues of concern to the local people. However, it should be recognized that we are dealing here with many years of under investment in the major public services and long-standing tribal disputes. It is important that everyone works together to bring about the improvements in security and services that we all want to see – for the benefit of all the people here.     

 

SECURITY

 

• It is recognized that security and law and order are of great concern. But we must help each other to improve the situation. Whilst the Coalition forces will meet their obligations, work is continuing to return responsibility for dealing with this to the local Iraqi people themselves:
• 2500 policemen have been retrained and are back on duty already in Basra Province.  Target is 6000 pre war level. 1200 police officers are back to work in Maysan Province.
• 36 police stations and HQ buildings have been fully restored in Basra Province at a cost of $20,000 per building. All are now operational. 19 police stations and HQ are undergoing renovation in Maysan Province at a similar cost – all paid for by the UK. All the work is being carried out by Iraqi builders.
• Uniforms, pistols, rifles and vehicles are being supplied to the officers, computers, telephones, batons, and handcuffs are being supplied to the police stations. A new Motorola radio system is being planned.
• In Basrah, GOC opened the Courts of Justice on Saturday 21 June. It is now functioning using a reformed version of the 1969 Iraq penal code.  One model jail is open, with a capacity of 300 prisoners. It has been fully restored at a cost of $75,000 of UK money. There is a new guard force and new uniform for prison guards. A 1500 capacity prison in the southern part of Basra City  (projected cost $1m) is under development. A 350 person local prison is being planned for Al Amarah.
• The Basra River Service (river police) are now up and running (from 19 June), using former members of the Iraqi Armed Forces. So far 500 men have been taken on and retrained. 7000 have applied to join.

 

GOVERNANCE

 

• Basra Province now has an Iraqi interim administration in place, this consists of an Interim Council and an Interim Technical Committee. Nominees for the Interim Council were chosen from lists submitted by a wide range of sources, representing a broad cross section of society.
• The first meeting of the Council took place on Wednesday 2 July; at the second meeting on 5 July the members held two secret ballots to elect an Interim Governor and Deputy Governor of Basra Province. The Interim Governor is now Judge Wail Abdulateif and his Deputy is a police brigadier, Ameed Mezher Kherallah.  The Council has formed a joint security committee with the British Forces and the Iraqi police force to work together to tackle this important issue.

 

ELECTRICITY

 

• Electricity in Basra is up to 18 hours a day, although it varies considerably across the city and is hampered by looting of power lines, and more recently an increase in sabotage.  As part of the process of tackling this problem, the electricity company are employing more armed guards and securing the sub stations whilst British forces are varying their patrols to catch those responsible. Also, recently, two 400KV main distribution lines have been re-energised allowing a regional grid to function.

 

WATER AND SANITATION

 

• Water is available for 60% of the population although distribution is hampered by leaks and power supply difficulties. The main canal that provides much of the water has been damaged by looting and the pumps are silted up. Repair work is underway. Electricity for the pumps is crucial and a few days ago 6 generators were delivered to the main pumping station for Basra City. 10 joint civil/military teams are also at work repairing leaks. Although still far from acceptable the water supply continues to improve as the weeks go by.   
• In An Najaf IRC are rehabilitating 46 water treatment plants that will benefit 53,000 residents.
• The ‘clean up Basrah’ campaign started on 1 June, employing around 600 local Iraqis a day and using around 30 hired lorries. $17,000 has been spent on overalls and masks. The workers are now visible on the streets in their blue overalls. 

 

ECONOMY 

 

·        Basra Central Bank reopened on Saturday 21 June, enabling 80,000 pensioners to be paid a one off payment of $40. To spread the load the aim is to open more banks as soon as possible, with 7 more opening next week and 20 opening over the next few weeks.  

·        Arrangements are in place to pay former Iraqi soldiers a stipend, beginning on 15 July – an information campaign to explain the detailed plans is due to begin very shortly.

·        Umm Qasr is open for commercial shipping. And there are plans for the first passenger ferry to arrive in the next few weeks. Security around the port is being stepped up.

·        Qatari Airlines have made the first proving flight into Basra International Airport. Discussions continue about them opening up regular commercial flights, although there are some legal issues still to be resolved.  

 

 

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE

 

·        The Dubai government are providing an assistance package that will equip Iraqi Customs with the latest cargo clearance technology and intelligence.

·        Plans are well underway to extend effective customs coverage to the main Iraq / Kuwait border crossing point at Safwan and to Basra Airport.

 

AGRICULTURE

 

·        everything is now in place to purchase the harvest; it has been decided that tomato seeds, previously provided by the State, should be purchased by farmers on the open market - this applies to all four Provinces in the Southern Region.

 

HEALTH

 

·        Improved governance of the regional health sector is in place, including the process for the appointment of a new Director General.

·        Water and sanitation work continues at the An Nasiriyah General Hospital, including the installation of 68 sinks, 54 showers and 64 toilets.

·        Community Health workers have recently completed 5 days of outreach work in the Al Nasser and Al Bath clinics of Karbala serving approx 76,000 residents.

 

EDUCATION

 

·        The schools sector reconstruction phase has increased in recent days. The first contract to rebuild the university Bab Zubayr campus (Internet café and Business centre at $60 000) has been passed and construction commenced Monday 7^th July, using local Iraqi contractors.  

·        Contracts for a further 10 University buildings on both campuses have now been submitted to CPA, again the aim is to use local contractors. BECHTEL  on 3 July released their first contract for a pilot scheme of refurbishing 3 schools within Basra, their aim is to sign contracts to refurbish a further 25 schools by 12^th July. Also the final exams for 18 year olds begin this week – the fact that they are taking place as normal despite the interruptions to tuition in recent months is an important sign.  

 

 

Steve Bird, Press and Public Affairs, CPA (South)