CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – "We're doing business with the Iraqis the way the Iraqis do business," said Lt. Col. Kevin Olson, 34th Infantry Division public affairs officer.
As the members of the Iraqi media were gathered in the meeting room, American and Iraqi styles of doing business were enmeshed.
The Iraqi journalists and news editors were treated to a smorgasbord of traditional Iraqi foods, and mingled with senior leaders from the 10th Mountain Division, 34th Infantry Division and 14th Iraqi Army Division.
While the military leaders literally broke bread with the Iraqi journalists, they took time to get to know each other, as well as the organizations being represented.
The gathering over food and chai tea finally led to a serious question and answer session from the media and the most senior ranking American officer in the room, Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, 10th Mountain Div. Deputy Commanding General for Support.
Smith explained how all operations will be conducted within the perimeters of the security agreement.
“The people need to know that we’re not directly involved in (kinetic operations) anymore,” said Smith. “For example, we no longer take detainees under our control anywhere in Multi-National Division South.” Smith assured the Iraqi media representatives that Coalition forces in MND-S would be acting in complete good faith and to the benefit of the Iraqi citizens.
“All the operations we’re involved in with the Iraqi Security Forces are under their lead,” he said.
Finally, Smith commented on what the changes will look like from the Americans, citing the arrival of the U.S. provincial reconstruction team and the type of infrastructure-building work that team does.
Smith gave the media a realistic assessment, saying the transition “will take some time.” He assured the interviewers that MND-S is “going to be bringing additional resources (to Basra) to help the Basrawis and the provincial government in any way we can with essential services.”
Following the engagement with Smith, Iraqi media members headed to the serene turtle pond located at MND-S Headquarters, followed by a tour of the headquarters facility with occasional stops for questions and answers. The tour served as a gesture to communicate the openness MND-S is aiming to have with the Iraqi media in future operations.
