IRAQ: U.S. SOLDIERS JOIN IRAQI SECURITY FORCES IN THE FIRST JOINT PATROL IN FALLUJA
Record ID:
648517
IRAQ: U.S. SOLDIERS JOIN IRAQI SECURITY FORCES IN THE FIRST JOINT PATROL IN FALLUJA
- Title: IRAQ: U.S. SOLDIERS JOIN IRAQI SECURITY FORCES IN THE FIRST JOINT PATROL IN FALLUJA
- Date: 14th June 2004
- Summary: (W4) FALLUJA, IRAQ (JUNE 14, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. LV/SLV VARIOUS OF PATROL BETWEEN U.S FORCES AND IRAQI POLICE; U.S. TROOPS IN STREET; IRAQI VEHICLES IN STREET (6 SHOTS) 1.17 2. SLV EXTERIOR OF GOVERNOR'S OFFICE 1.20 3. SV U.S. COMMANDER OF U.S. MARINES IN FALLUJA, MAJOR GENERAL JAMES MATTIS BEING GREETED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS; COMMANDER AND LOCAL LEADERS MEETING; LOCAL LEADERS AND COMMANDER SITTING IN MEETING (3 SHOTS) 2.00 4. SV GENERAL MOHAMMED LATIF ARRIVING AT MEETING; LATIF AT MEETING WITH AMERICANS AND LOCAL LEADERS; COMMANDER SPEAKING TO COMMUNITY LEADERS (2 SHOTS) 2.18 5. MCU (English) U.S COMMANDER OF U.S. MARINES IN FALLUJA, MAJOR GENERAL JAMES MATTIS, SAYING: "I know some of you do not trust me. We have been through hard times that I think have been imposed by people who did not have the right motivation. I intend to earn your trust in the days ahead." 2.35 6. MCU OF LOCAL LEADER LISTENING 2.40 7. MCU (English) U.S COMMANDER OF U.S. MARINES IN FALLUJA, MAJOR GENERAL JAMES MATTIS, SAYING: "I come here to be the best friend of Falluja because that is constant with my beliefs." 2.47 8. SLV/SV OF MEETING (2 SHOTS) 3.00 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 29th June 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: FALLUJA, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVAA17UJX60NPOYK3H80IRYIDIGN
- Story Text: U.S soldiers join Iraqi security forces in the first
joint patrol in the flashpoint town of Falluja.
Iraqi and U.S military vehicles took to the streets
of Falluja, west of Baghdad on Monday (June 14, 2004), in the
first such joint patrol following months of fierce fighting.
U.S. officials later met with local community leaders,
including Mohammed Latif, a former general in Saddam
Hussein's army, who was set out to pacify Iraq's most
rebellious town last month following the fighting between
U.S. troops and insurgents.
In a bid to try and maintain calm after weeks of fierce
fighting between the Americans and guerrillas which killed
hundreds of Iraqis and scores of U.S. troops U.S. commander
of U.S. Marines in Falluja, Major General James Mattis
asked form trust.
"I know some of you do not trust me. We have been
through hard times that I think have been imposed by people
who did not have the right motivation. I intend to earn
your trust in the days ahead," he said.
A joint patrol with American troops was cancelled a
week ago when rebels attacked the Iraqi brigade wounding 12
of its members.
Falluja has been relatively calm since Latif and other
generals offered to help tame the area where roadside bombs
and ambushes have dogged American troops in the area.
The U.S. wants Latif to rein on guerrilla fighters,
help capture or kill foreign fighters and collect weapons
from rebels. He describes Falluja as a town of peace-loving
people and believes U.S. troops should go home.
U.S. troops are still within close distance of Falluja
but the American military has tried to keep a low profile
in attempt to calm the situation by allowing Iraqi control
in the area.
U.S. troops launched an offensive on the town after four
U.S. contractors were killed by guerrillas and then
mutilated and dragged through the streets by residents on
March 31.
Set up under a peace agreement to end the clashes, the
2,000-strong Falluja Brigade is composed mainly of
Baathists who served in Saddam's army, which was disbanded
by U.S. forces.
Pacifying Falluja, a volatile mix of Saddam loyalists,
Muslim militants and tribes, has been one of the biggest
challenges facing American troops.
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