*EPF106 08/04/2003
Text: Coalition Forces in Iraq Meet with Al Anbar Council Members
(U.S. Central Command August 3 press release) (460)

Coalition forces and members of the new Interim Governate Council of Iraq's Al Anbar province met for the first time Aug. 1 to discuss issues related to security, employment, water and electricity, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) August 3.

The council's formation is "a milestone toward democracy and self government for the people of Al Anbar," the press release says. The Interim Governate Council represents all seven districts in Al Anbar province.

Coalition forces have also recently helped rebuild a school in Ar Ramadi and repaired water pumps in a small village near Tikrit, according to the press release.

Following is the text of the press release:

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NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

August 3, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION EFFORTS AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A school has been reconstructed virtually from the ground up in a small village near Ar Ramadi. Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment helped rebuild the school in a move to put it together the right way when it had been built originally in the wrong way.

The villagers' school in the town of Abutiban now has a new roof, a bathroom, water tanks, fans, windows and chalkboards thanks to engineers from the 3rd ACR and soldiers from the 490th Civil Affairs Battalion from Abilene, Tex. The school was originally constructed three years ago when Saddam Hussein ordered it to be built in three days. Since the people lacked the money with which to purchase the proper building materials the school was built haphazardly. As a result, its roof sagged badly, it had no electricity and no toilet facilities. Through their efforts Coalition forces have provided the people of Abutiban with what amounts to a whole new school.

Also near Ar Ramadi, Coalition forces and members of the new Interim Governate Council of Al Anbar met Aug. 1 for the first time to discuss issues related to security, employment, water and electricity. The Interim Governate Council represents all seven districts in Al Anbar province. The council's formation represents a milestone toward democracy and self government for the people of Al Anbar.

Near Tikrit, 4th Infantry Division engineers and civil affairs soldiers this week finished repairs to two water pumps in Shayke Gassim Eldori, a village five kilometers south of Ad Dawr. As a result of the efforts of soldiers from the 4th ID, the water treatment facility can now provide the normal water supply to the Ad Dawr populace and its surrounding communities.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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