*EPF506 01/30/2004
Suspected Courier for Al-Qaeda Arrested in Iraq
(Sanchez says knowledge of terrorist infrastructure is "evolving") (880)

By Jacqui Porth
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- U.S. Army Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez says the recent capture on the Iran-Iraq border of a courier linked to 9-11 terrorist mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed reinforces ongoing assertions by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) that "al-Qaeda fingerprints" are visible in Iraq.

Sanchez told reporters in Baghdad January 29 that Hassan Ghul's capture "is pretty strong proof that al-Qaeda is trying to gain a foothold here to continue their murderous campaigns." The commander of coalition ground forces in Iraq said Ghul's capture is good news for the Iraqi people as well as the coalition and the international community, which are working together as part of the ongoing global war against terrorism.

Asked specifically for information about the composition of al-Qaeda's infrastructure in Iraq, Sanchez said knowledge about their infrastructure and operations "is still evolving." But he added that the "tactics, techniques and procedures of al-Qaeda are present" in Iraq. And he said "we believe that there is some fundamentalist terrorist linkage with the former regime at the tactical level. And...there are some efforts to strengthen those linkages."

Increasingly Iraqi citizens have been targeted in terrorist attacks in Iraq. Sanchez said 20 Iraqis were killed and another 60 wounded in an attack during the third week of January. "They were killed by those who want to see this country turn back towards terrorism, dictatorship, and those who have a fear of moving forward towards democracy in this part of the world," he said.

Meanwhile, Sanchez said there are plans to re-establish an Iraqi Ministry of Defense by July or sooner. Some of the ministry's initial personnel have been identified and are undergoing training to ensure that they are able to fulfill their responsibilities, he said.

At the same time, Iraq's indigenous security force is growing ever larger and coalition forces are working to equip that force with the tools to accomplish its mission. Sanchez said every week more Iraqis are "joining their nation's security forces." The Iraqi Army more than doubled last week, he said, as "the third battalion graduated from their training in Kirkush."

Sanchez said Iraq's Civil Defense Corps now numbers more than 19,000 with another 3,200 in training. He also said the Iraqi police force is growing with more than 500 new applicants and nearly the same number having just graduated from training in Jordan.

Sanchez also said coalition forces "are working very hard to equip all of the (local) security forces appropriately" with police cars, weapons, body armor and communications equipment.

While Iraq's security forces are under the tactical control of coalition forces and are still too small in total numbers to assume responsibility for securing all sectors of Iraq, the CPA spokesman predicted that Iraq's military "will serve as a unifying national force for people of all religions and ethnic backgrounds." Asked about the issue of Islamic courts, Sanchez said if courts choose to operate outside the laws of Iraq, "they're at risk of being shut down by the Iraqi security forces."

Commenting on the ongoing de-Ba'athification effort in Iraq, the spokesman said more than 5,3000 former Ba'athists denounced their former party earlier in the week during a ceremony in Mosul where they denounced terrorism and violence "and declared their support for a new free and democratic future." Denunciations such as these and others "are positive developments," he added. More and more former Ba'ath Party members are buying in to the process of building a stable Iraq, Sanchez said.

The spokesman also answered a question on the status of Iraqi detainees. If a former Iraqi soldier is currently in prison, he said, the individual will be held there until hostilities are over. Sanchez also said coalition forces have been working hard to distribute detainee lists through the local Red Crescent, civil affairs units and police elements.

Sanchez was questioned about family compensation for Iraqi civilian deaths allegedly caused by coalition forces. He said 15,000 claims have been filed and 11,000 of them have been settled with payments made already in excess of $2.2 million.

Sanchez also highlighted the progress of civil-military operations in Iraq, saying that the Commanders' Emergency Response Fund has spent $151 million so far on 15,000 critical infrastructure and public service projects throughout Iraq. Asked about the power grid, the spokesman said hundreds of kilometers of transmission lines have been re-established and the process of rebuilding generators is also underway.

Asked about support for the future return of United Nations personnel, Sanchez said: "We are assisting and will assist the U.N. in whatever it is they need to make their decisions about reintroduction of their capacities back into the country. And, we will continue to support them in whatever manner we can."

Sanchez was also questioned about the planned rotation of U.S. forces in Iraq. He predicted that the rotation process begun in November 2003 would conclude in May 2004. "The transition is going extremely well," he said. Existing forces are being replaced with those who are tailored to meet "current and foreseen requirements," he added.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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