Iraqi election Embassy Rocket Attack

A billboard at a traffic intersection in Baghdad reads, (How we will provide a better country for our kids; elections of the National Assembly. Elect Iraq.)

Task Force Baghdad Troops Capture Seven Insurgents Responsible for Embassy Rocket Attack

Baghdad, Iraq – Seven insurgents responsible for the Jan. 29 rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy were captured by Task Force Baghdad troops approximately one hour after launching their attack.

Following the 8 p.m. attack on the embassy, the men fled the scene of the rocket launch, but were tracked to a residence in southeastern Baghdad. Task Force Baghdad ground troops descended on the home, detaining all seven suspects.

“This was a great example of quick reaction on the part of some superb cavalry troopers,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Jones, assistant division commander for the 1st Cavalry Division and Task Force Baghdad. “It’s one more example to the insurgents that Iraqi and Multi-National Forces will hunt down those responsible for these acts of terrorism.”

Leading up to the election, Jones said the troops in his task force and the Iraqi security forces in Baghdad are prepared to meet the challenge of security a free election in the Iraqi capital.

“We’re doing all we can, as are all the Iraqi security forces, to make Baghdad as safe as possible so its citizens can vote in this historic election,” Jones said.

The seven captured suspects are being held for further questioning. Release #050130d

جنود قوة مهام بغداد تلقي القبض على سبعة متمردين مسؤولين عن الهجوم الصاروخي على السفارة

بغداد, العراق –ألقت قوة مهام بغداد القبض على سبعة متمردين لعلاقتهم بالهجوم الصاروخي الذي وقع على السفارة ألأمريكية يوم 29 كانون الثاني بعد
ساعة من تنفيذهم للهجوم.

بعد قيامهم بالهجوم في الساعة الثامنة مساءا غادر المهاجمون موقع ألأطلاق و عادوا الى منزل جنوب بغداد, حيث قام جنود قوة مهام بغداد بمتابعتهم و مداهمة المنزل و أعتقال ألأشخاص السبعة المتواجدون فيه.

معاون قائد فرقة الفرسان ألأولى العميد (مايكل جونز) قال : " أن هذا يمثل نموذج لرد الفعل السريع من قبل جنود فرقة الفرسان", و أضاف " و هو أيضا مثال للمتمردين على الكيفية التي ستقبض بها القوات العراقية و المتعددة الجنسيات على المسؤولين عن العمليات ألأرهابية".

(جونز) قال أن جنوده مستعدون لمواجهة التحدي
ألأمني في بغداد أثناء ألأنتخابات لضمان حريتها, حيث قال " أن قواتنا و القوات العراقية تعمل كل ما بوسعها لضمان أمن بغداد كي يتمكن المواطنون من ألأدلاء بأصواتهم في هذه ألأنتخابات التاريخية".

المعتقلون محتجزون لغرض التحقيق.

Iraqi Elections: January 30, 2005

"I believe that the unity of the country will be enhanced, will be strengthened by the process of an election...­. This is a process. It is not the end of the process on the 30th of January."
-Iyad Allawi, Iraq's Interim Prime Minister

The Iraqi people will participate in democratic elections on January 30 for the first time in more than 30 years to elect a Transitional National Assembly, provincial councils for each of Iraq's provinces, and a Kurdistan Regional Government. Over 80% of Iraqis recently polled in a survey for the International Republican Institute said they intend to vote.

The Road to Democracy

February 2005

• Transitional National Assembly (TNA) expected to be seated.
• TNA elects the Presidency Council -- a President and two Vice Presidents.
• Presidency Council unanimously selects Prime Minister.
• Cabinet ministers appointed by the Presidency Council at the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
• The TNA, by a majority vote, will approve the Prime Minister and his or her cabinet.

October 2005

• National referendum on new permanent constitution drafted by TNA.

December 2005

• Iraqi people elect new government under the permanent constitution.

A New Government

• A 275-member Transitional National Assembly (TNA), with the goal of 25% female representation, will be elected.
• APresidency Council, consisting of a President and two Vice Presidents, will be elected by the TNA. The Presidency Council will unanimously select a Prime Minister and approve his or her selection of cabinet ministers.
• The TNA, by a majority vote, will approve the Prime Minister and his or her cabinet.
• Provincial Councils and a Kurdistan National Assembly also will be elected on January 30.
• The TNA will write Iraq's permanent constitution and submit it to the Iraqi people in a referendum for approval by October 2005.
• A new government operating under the permanent constitution is expected to be elected by the end of 2005.

The Voting Process

• More than 14 million Iraqis are registered to vote at nearly 6,000 voting centers across Iraq. Iraqis living abroad will be able to register and vote in 14 other countries.
• There are 256 political entities composed of nearly 19,000 candidates who are running for the National Assembly, the provincial councils, and the Kurdistan National Assembly.
• The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) is responsible for ensuring a fair and transparent process. The UN Electoral Assistance Division is advising the IECI.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are providing technical support to the IECI and the Iraqi Interim Government. The IECI and various NGOs have conducted voter education campaigns in Iraq.
• The United States' and the Coalition's limited role consists mainly of providing financial support for the implementation and logistics of the election. The United States has offered more than $40 million; Japan, $40 million; and the EU, $38 million.
• Military forces from 29 countries are working alongside Iraqi forces to help establish stability and security throughout Iraq.
• The Ministry of Interior is primarily responsible for security at election sites on election day. Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi military forces will also be engaged. Coalition forces stand ready to provide reinforcement and support when requested.

Iraqi Democracy

• The January 30 elections will give the Iraqi people their first democratically elected government in more than three decades.
• The election will show the shared desire among Iraqis to exercise their democratic rights under difficult conditions.

This source is managed by the Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State.Bureau of Public Affairs Washington, DC January 25, 2005