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Mosul citizens' one click closer to
freedom
MOSUL, Iraq (September 27, 2003) - Mosul's connection with the world,
through Internet, is now a reality. The first government-funded public
Internet establishment, Internet Café #10, was officially reopened Sept.
27, in Mosul, with a ribbon cutting
ceremony.
The State Company Internet Services, centralized in
Baghdad, has been reopening many
Internet Cafés throughout Iraq during the past few weeks.
Four open in Baghdad and two more are scheduled to
be open in Baghdad within a week, said Al
Hadithig, manager of State Company Internet Services of Iraq. Mosul is also expecting five more to
open within the next few weeks. Internet Café #10 is now able to supply
Internet access and classes to the local people.
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Maj. Gen. David H.
Petreaus, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault), Khasro Goran, Mosul deputy mayor, and
Mahmood Rafeek Al Hadithig showed to cut the ribbon and tour the
refurbished business. |
"We all know that
knowledge is power," Petreaus said. "This Internet café and the others
that will soon open will empower the cities citizens. The knowledge and
information will be critical for the rebuilding of Mosul."
Currently,
Mosul does not have a reliable
Internet communications link with Baghdad, so with help from Coalition
Forces the Internet connection in Mosul is through satellite. Each
café will have 10 to 25 computers, which will be connected through
satellite until the
During and after the war looters destroyed
many of the Internet businesses. At Internet Café #10, employees managed
to save much of the businesses equipment by securing it in private homes
when the looters ravaged through the city, according to Koteeba Al Neeme,
Mosul director for State Company
Internet Services.
Petreaus and Goran both spoke about the changes
that have already happened and the many changes to come for the people of
Iraq.
"Each reopening is a
reminder to us what can happen when Coalition Forces and Iraqis work
together," Petreaus said. "Although, Coalition Forces did provide
assistance and resources, again the bulk of the work and the bulk of
expertise came from the Iraqi people."
Goran spoke to the guest
about the freedoms that sat in front of them, while looking at the
computers. He said, the ex-regime kept the Iraqi citizens from even basic
information. With the help from the Coalition Forces the citizens of
Iraq will grow from the knowledge
now being freely given to them.
Petreaus finished his address to
the guests by saying, "Our soldiers are proud to have given the greatest
gift of all to the Iraqi people. That is their freedom. That freedom
includes access to the information super
highway."
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