Governor Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, Diyala governor, meets with the mayor of Balad Ruz, the Balad Ruz provincial council member, the deputy commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala and several director generals to discuss security and services of the Balad Ruz region, during a meeting at the Government Center in Baqouba, Iraq, July 18. As security improves, the governor continues to meet with local leaders to address the peoples' concerns. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division)




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070721-03

July 21, 2007
Multi-National Division – North PAO

DIYALA, Iraq – Taking advantage of the improved security situation in Baqouba, Iraq, the Diyala governor and the deputy commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala met with several local leaders July 18 to address concerns and issues throughout the province.

During the first meeting, Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, governor of Diyala, Staff Maj. Gen. Nouri, deputy commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala province, and Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of Coalition Forces in Diyala, met with the mayor of Balad Ruz at the Government Center in Baqouba, Iraq.

The Director Generals of Education and Electric, as well as the Assistant Governors of Technical and Social Affairs were also in attendance to discuss solutions to issues throughout the Balad Ruz region.

The mayor discussed topics such as teacher salaries, irrigation, electricity, and fuel and food distribution. Ra’ad assured each issue would be addressed with respective ministries to reach a solution.

During the second meeting, Ra’ad, Nouri and Sutherland traveled to Abarah, Iraq, to visit local muqtars, the mayor and security officials. As of four months ago, there was no political leadership in the region; and this was Ra’ad’s first trip to the Diyala River Valley area since taking office.

“I don’t look at the Abarah Nahia (region) with pity,” said Ra’ad. “Instead, I look at it with love and respect.

“That’s why we are here with you today; to see what you need and how we can solve all these issues,” he continued.

“It is a great honor to meet with you,” said a local muqtar to the leadership in attendance. “We belong to you and you belong to us.”

While at the meeting, the group discussed food distribution, ISF integration into the DRV, recruiting, projects, repatriation of families and uniting tribes across Diyala.

“If we are going to move forward, we have to move forward together,” said Sutherland. “Working together, we can accomplish things. We can make this area rich and prosper as it has before.”

“We will work to extreme capacity to serve Abarah and its surrounding communities,” said the Abarah Iraqi army commander. “We are committed to working together.”

Governor Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, Diyala governor, meets with the mayor of Balad Ruz, the Balad Ruz provincial council member, the deputy commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala and several director generals to discuss security and services of the Balad Ruz region, during a meeting at the Government Center in Baqouba, Iraq, July 18. As security improves, the governor continues to meet with local leaders to address the peoples' concerns. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division)

Diyala governor, Governor Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi; the deputy commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala, Staff Maj. Gen. Nouri; and the mayor of Abarah, Mayor Shakir; address concerns of muqtars and security force leaders from the Diyala River Valley during a meeting in Abarah, Iraq, July 18. The improved security situation allowed the governor to make his first visit to the Diyala River Valley since taking office. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

A local muqtar from the Abarah area addresses the concerns of his people with the governor of Diyala, the deputy commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala and the Mayor of Abarah during a meeting in Abarah, Iraq, July 18. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)





Diyala governor, Governor Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi; the deputy commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala, Staff Maj. Gen. Nouri; and the mayor of Abarah, Mayor Shakir; address concerns of muqtars and security force leaders from the Diyala River Valley during a meeting in Abarah, Iraq, July 18. The improved security situation allowed the governor to make his first visit to the Diyala River Valley since taking office. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


A local muqtar from the Abarah area addresses the concerns of his people with the governor of Diyala, the deputy commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala and the Mayor of Abarah during a meeting in Abarah, Iraq, July 18. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)



FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH AT: tflightning.pao-AT-us.army.mil

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, Civil Affairs, Diyala, Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces