Iraqi Army Election Security

211th Iraqi Army Battalion Conducts Election Security Training

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq -- The 211th Iraqi Army Battalion conducted election security training here on Jan 19.

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Iraqi Security Forces will do everything in their power to provide for a safe and secure environment on Election Day. The 211th Iraqi Army Battalion recently conducted a review of their mission essential tasks in preparation for the Jan. 30 elections.

المقدم (كريستوفر غيبسون) الظاهر الى اليمين يتناول الطعام مع قادة قوة التدخل العراقية أثناء وليمة أقيمت للقادة في الموصل يوم 16 كانون الثاني 2005. المقدم غيبسون يضيف هذه الوليمة المشتركة بين وحدته و وحدة التدخل العراقية.

Battalion leadership ensured that each Soldier was trained to standard and proficient in all tasks. This final round of refresher training ensured the battalion is ready for the upcoming elections.

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ضابط عراقي يستعرض الطريقة الصحيحة لحمل السلاح لأعضاء سرية (حديثة) للحرس الوطني العراقي رقم 503 أثناء تدريب على المواجهات في المناطق المغلقة في قاعدة العمليات (هت) يوم 16 كانون الثاني 2005.

The training these Soldiers have received will not only help benefit the people of Iraq during the upcoming elections but give the people a sense of security for the future, as well. Release #050122e

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المقدم محمد من قوة التدخل العراقية الظاهر الى اليسار يتحث مع حارس مدرسة أثناء تفتيشها في الموصل يوم 17 كانون الثاني 2005 حيث تبحث قوة التخل العراقية عن مقاتلين مناوئين للعراق و معداتهم.

Senior Iraqi military Leaders Meet to Finalize Security for Elections

Mosul, Iraq -- Iraqi military leaders met across northern Iraq on Jan. 20 to discuss security plans for the Jan. 30 elections.

Gen. Babakir, Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Abdul Qater, Commander of the Iraqi Army, and Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, Commanding General of the Multi-National Security Transition Command met in northern Iraq in order to hear election security plans from other Iraqi military leaders.

The group of Generals first met with Col. Mohammed, Commander of the Iraqi Commando Battalions at Forward Operating Base Blickenstaff. Col. Mohammed gave his assessment of the security situation for the elections to the Generals.

The Generals then traveled to Al Kindi where they met with Maj. Gen. Khalil, Commander of the 2nd Division Iraqi Army. Maj. Gen. Khalil also assessed the security situation in northern Iraq, and told of the different missions his unit has performed.

Following lunch at the Joint Coordination Center with local government officials, including Nineveh Governor Duraid Kashmoula and Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq representatives, the Generals traveled to Al Kasik. There they met with Maj. Gen. Khoursheed, Commander of the 3rd Division Iraqi Army, and Col. Thomas Thaler, Commander of Al Kasik Military Training Base. Maj. Gen. Khoursheed and Col. Thaler each assessed their forces’ readiness for election time.

The meetings helped military forces operating in northern Iraq make their final security plans for the election. Release #050122d

Colin L. Powell Victor Yushchenko Kiev, Ukraine

Remarks with Ukrainian President-Elect Victor Yushchenko

Secretary Colin L. Powell Kiev, Ukraine January 23, 2005

PRESIDENT-ELECT YUSHCHENKO: (in Ukrainian) Dear friends, we have just completed our bilateral negotiations. I would like to thank Secretary of State Mr. Colin Powell for a very productive discussion. I’ve indicated the processes that have occurred in Ukraine over the past two years have definitely been because of Ukraine. And I’ve indicated that I’m particularly happy that I’ve lived until the times when the Ukrainian president is elected not in Moscow, not in Washington, but here in Ukraine. On the other hand, however, the international assistance, the assistance and support from our partners was very essential for enrooting the democratic…the democracy in Ukraine.

I would like to once again thank the Ukrainian side for being so committed to the democratic principles which they have, once again, demonstrated in the context of Ukrainian events.

We also touched upon a number of issues that have to do with activation of Ukrainian efforts toward international integration. This includes: the prospects for Ukraine acquiring market-based economy status; this is the problem that has to do with the World Trade Organization; the problem of Ukrainian goods’ access to U.S. markets; the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, and a good wealth of other issues that included Iraq and other bilateral and international aspects of our relations.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Mr. President-elect. It’s a great pleasure for me to be here on this historic day to share in the joy of the Ukrainian people as a new president is elected, who has been elected on the basis of a free, fair and open election.

President Bush hopes that you will be able to visit the United States in the not-too-distant future, and I will pass on to the President your invitation for him to visit Ukraine. As the President-elect noted, we had a good discussion on all of the bilateral issues between our two nations, but we also talked about broader issues of Euro-Atlantic integration and how Ukraine will be moving to make sure that it becomes a valued member of the Euro-Atlantic communities. And Mr. President, on this very important day, I thank you for taking time to meet with me, and I just want to assure you that you will continue to enjoy the full support of the American government and the American people, as you move forward now to undertake the efforts that the Ukrainian people are expecting.

PRESIDENT-ELECT YUSHCHENKO: Thank you.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you. ###