U.S.
Shows Selected Highlights Since Launch of Iraqi Freedom a Year
Ago
TAMPA,
Fla. – (CENTCOM) Operation Iraqi Freedom Coalition Forces
have successfully liberated 25 million Iraqis from the brutal
dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
These highlights
provide information regarding the accomplishments of the Coalition
throughout the past year.
The OIF Coalition
is comprised of 34 countries, including 11 NATO countries, and
they have provided over 22,000 troops to support the efforts in
Iraq. There are two multi-national divisions in Iraq: one led
by the United Kingdom in central-south Iraq, and one led by Poland
in south Iraq.
The international
community has pledged at least $32 billion to improve schools,
health care, roads, water and electricity supplies, agriculture
and other essential services.
The World
Bank, International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and 38
countries have pledged to extend loans and grants to Iraq. Other
nations are contributing humanitarian assistance, extending export
credits and reducing Iraqi debt.
The UN Security
Council on Oct. 16, 2003, unanimously approved Resolution 1511
that calls on member states to support the work of the multinational
force in Iraq.
Security:
America’s
armed forces are taking the offensive against remnants of Saddam
Hussein’s regime and foreign terrorists, leading more than 1,600
patrols a day and conducting an average of 180 raids a week.
45 of the
55 most wanted Hussein regime members have been captured or killed,
including the brutal dictator himself, whose capture sent a powerful
message to the Iraqi people that the tyranny of the past will
never return. The capture of Saddam Hussein provided a boost to
intelligence throughout western Iraq.
The quality
of intelligence is cascading as a result of the Saddam capture:
the intelligence is of higher quality and allows a higher level
of captures. Saddam’s capture is allowing the Coalition to apprehend
more mid-level financiers and organizers.
More than
230,000 Iraqis now provide security for their fellow citizens,
and Iraqi security forces now account for the majority of all
forces in Iraq. These forces include Iraqi Police, Iraqi Civil
Defense Corps, Iraqi Border Police, Iraqi Facility Protection
Service and the New Iraqi Army.
Law/Governance:
Since July,
the 25-person Iraqi Governing Council has had the authority to:
name interim Ministers; exercise government oversight; prepare
policy initiatives on Iraq’s national security, including
reform of the armed forces, police and courts; lead development
of a constitution; and approve Iraq’s national budget. 24 Iraqi
Cabinet Members also contribute to the business of the government.
First time
in 13 years, an ambassador to the US was appointed to restore
diplomatic relations.
90% of Iraq’s
districts have municipal/government councils with more than 19
million Iraqis engaging in local political discourse
Ministry of
Justice has established a Council of Judges to oversee the judiciary
and prosecutors. Also, defendants are now provided lawyers.
Public Health:
240 hospitals
and most of Iraq’s 1200 clinics have reopened. 70 private
hospitals are operating
800 tons of
high protein biscuits have been delivered to 15 Governorates for
malnourished children and pregnant/nursing mothers.
1.09 million
humanitarian daily rations have been distributed to date.
22 million
children and 700,000 women have been inoculated against diseases
since the war; 90% of all Iraqi children now receive routine vaccinations
Pharmaceuticals
distribution improved from 0 to 12,000 tons today,
more than $210 million approved for the Iraqi Ministry of Heath
for pharmaceutical supplies and equipment, basic health care services,
medical equipment and power generators for hospitals
Schools:
Nearly all
schools are open and 5.1 million students are attending class
25 Fulbright
Scholarships awarded for the first time in 14 years; Fulbright
Office added 2 new programs for Iraqis
Over 13,500
school buildings in Iraq; $4.4 million spent to complete 2,299
school renovations; UNICEF and other NGOs are rehabilitating 105
schools; 183K desks, 57K chairs, 61K chalkboards and 25K metal
cabinets have been distributed
33,000 teachers
and 3,000 supervisors trained in instructional practices and classroom
management strategies
Commerce and
Trade:
Iraqis use
a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years; 4.6
trillion new Iraqi dinars in circulation
Iraq Stock
Exchange will open in April; Iraq Central Bank is fully independent
and has been opened since Sept 03;
83% of all
pre-war bank branches are open
Umm Qasr Port
turned over to Iraqi control in Jan 04
393,950 jobs
have been generated
Estimated
crude oil export revenues exceed $3.3 billion for Iraqi reconstruction.
Telephone
service continues to expand with 95% of service outside Baghdad.
More than
170 newspaper are published in Iraq
Power:
4400 megawatts
per day is the current seven-day average, this is up from 300
megawatts per day in 2003.
USAID will
spend more than $250 million infrastructure repair funds on power
rehabilitation and an additional $75 million allocated to power
reconstruction.
Water:
Coalition
programs have cleared over 16,500 km of irrigation canals, helping
over 10,000 farms
Water storage
in most Iraqi reservoirs is approaching historic averages
Rehabilitated
water treatment plants will treat nearly 800 million liters/day,
benefiting 3.5 million people
90% of Iraqis
will have potable water by Apr 05
Quality of
Life:
Religious
rites are being re-established for all sects.
New Ministry
of Housing and Construction has started 1,008 new homes and is
working with the UN to start 7 housing projects with 3,528 units
Military Supplies
Used:
Item Quantity
Dollar Value
* MREs 42.1
mil meals $285.0 mil
* Bottled water 120 mil bottles $31.0 mil
* Cots 342,000 $18.2 mil
* Lumber 17.25 mil board-feet $6.9 mil
* Plywood 750,000 sheets $10.9 mil
* Combat Boots 673,000 pair $48.7 mil
* Body Armor 191,000 vests $105.0 mil
* Body Armor 361,000 plates $180.5 mil