Just the facts…
Dean Esmay lays out current facts about Iraq.
Coalition and Iraqi security force operations against Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) continue. (Rear Adm. Greg Smith, Press Briefing, 11/7/07)· Over 40 Al Qaeda leaders were killed or captured in October, including:
o Six AQI emirs
o Six cell leaders, including two responsible for the personal security detail for Ayyub al-Masri, the foreign leader of AQI
o 14 foreign terrorist facilitators
o Six logistics and weapons facilitators
o Three truck and car bomb leaders
o Four AQI leaders who worked in the Mosul media or propaganda cell
o Two administrators who worked on false documents and AQI finances
o Two AQI leaders who were involved in senior communications and courier activities
· Recent analysis of documents captured from Abu Muthanna, a foreign terrorist facilitator killed in September, confirms that approximately 90% of the suicide bombers and bombings are perpetuated by foreign terrorists, not by Iraqis.
· View MNF-I Slides
As security improves, the U.S. is working with Iraqis to improve basic services and economic opportunities. (Rear Adm. Greg Smith, Press Briefing, 11/7/07)
· On October 30, coalition forces, working with the Qadr neighborhood advisory council, distributed micro-grants to 29 small business owners in Jamaya, located in western Baghdad.
o The recipients received between $2,000 and $2,500 in grants to help renovate businesses, buy inventory and office supplies, hire workers, and pay for other business-related expenses.
· Coalition forces have invested over $2.6 million in micro-grants to Iraqi businesses so far this year.
Economic progress continues on the ground throughout Iraq. (Information compiled by U.S. Department of the Treasury)
· The number of registered businesses in Iraq has increased 500% post-Saddam, from 8,000 to 40,997.
o In 2007, registered businesses have increased 9.1%.
· Cellular phone subscribers have increased from almost none to 8 million post-Saddam, representing almost one-third of the Iraqi population.
· In August, three mobile telecom licenses were auctioned for $3.75 billion.
· There are now approximately 260,000 internet subscribers in Iraq, compared to an estimated 4,500 pre-war.
· The Iraqi Stock Exchange Index is up 41% year to date, with 94 companies listed and 30 actively traded.
Provincial Reconstruction Team reports on reconciliation. Reconciliation movement evident in northern and western outskirts of Baghdad. (Mr. Thomas Burke and COL Paul Funk, State Dept. Briefing, 11/13/07)
· Over a period of several months, reconciliation has gathered momentum through U.S. military and civilian efforts engaging key sheiks in a dialogue towards establishing a secure future.
· Initial reconciliation meetings in the area consisted of only a dozen sheiks. Subsequent meetings have grown to involve hundreds of tribal elders and village businessmen.
· Because of the dramatic change in the area’s security, the PRT team is able to work with businessmen and community leaders to begin the real work towards reconstruction and development.
It must drive some people nuts. In fact I know it does because I receive all kinds of ramblings and rantings from them everyday… Which I delete without reading. Poor crazy bastards. I suppose it’s tough getting your meds adjusted when you live under socialized medicine and have to wait 6 months just to see your GP.
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