Iraqi Security Force Meets With Coalition and Iraq Rulers
Tikrit, Iraq
There have been a series of meetings between the local Iraqi Leadership and members of the Coalition Forces Reconstruction effort. The Iraqi governors in each Province have been receiving mentoring from coalition forces, and members of the U.S. State Department Reconstruction teams. This mentoring process has gone well, and has resulted in several “United and Strong” meetings being held.
The second of the “United and Strong” meetings occurred on February 4th in the Tikrit Area, and joined together members of the Iraqi Security Force, local leaders, and seven Northern province governors. The meeting was facilitated and held by Major General Mark Hertling, who is Commander of MND North, and also Commands the 1st Armor Division.
While all key issues are still being decided on the final basis by the Central Government in Iraq, these meetings allow the local leaders to learn how to interact, and how to have their voices heard. The work to focus and consolidate issues, and makes priorities based on what that want to get done. Then, after they come up with a list of concerns that need addressing they forward their recommendations to the Central Government in Iraq.
The first meeting, which was conducted in January, was the first to bring all the Northern Tribal leaders together at the same meeting. “We are meeting to bring all your concerns to the table, this meeting is to bring you all together to start talking. It is not to directly benefit your provinces solely, but to help you begin to work as partners, and as a team,” said General Hertling at that first meeting.
“Working together we can present a unified team on working toward common goals, for the entire northern region,” said General Hertling.
