11th Marine Expeditionary Unit AN NAJAF PROVINCE

Marines near Najaf ready for return home

AN NAJAF PROVINCE, Iraq -- Two days after Iraq’s national elections, and with just a few weeks left until they return to the United States, Marines here say they are confident they are leaving the holy city of Najaf in better shape than when they arrived in July.

After weeks of training Iraqi Security Forces, the Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) stood down their patrols for Sunday’s historic elections after the top Marine commander here determined that the city was in good hands with local police and soldiers.

Col. Anthony M. Haslam, commanding officer for the 11th MEU (SOC), felt confident that local Iraqi law enforcement and military would be able to “take charge of the city” Jan. 30 if violence had struck during elections.

“They are ready to step forward to do what they have to do, whether Multi-National Forces are there or not,” said Haslam, who spent Jan. 30 at the Joint Command Center near the governor’s compound in the city’s center.

“The turnout of voters was a homerun,” he said. Release #050202a SOURCE: MNFI

Statement on Federal Assistance West Virginia

Statement on Federal Assistance for West Virginia

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of West Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and landslides beginning on January 4, 2005, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, and landslides in the counties of Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, and Wetzel.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Michael Bolch as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

The Agency said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600. # # #

For Immediate Release OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY February 2, 2005