Iraq: "Surprisingly Embracing."

The ability to influence the Iraqi people depends on being able to deliver something tangible, said Army Col. Philip Battaglia, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, during a live brief from Iraq at the Pentagon. They’ve made considerable progress in using Iraqi monies for reconstruction, and the improved security throughout Iraq has made it possible to coordinate more Iraqi seizures of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and other weapons.

Also present was Dan Foot of PRT, who said that the Iraqi people’s appreciation of the Iraqi Security Forces and the United States’ forces was “surprisingly embracing.” He said in the marketplaces people smile and stop to chat, but that the smaller towns the people are more reserved and don’t approach them. After they say hello, however, the people display typical Arab Cordiality and are very friendly. The PRT, he said, expects to be in Iraq till through the end of next year. In the police force of Iraq, Foot said, there is “a certain amount of bribery” that is part of the culture and is to be expected.

A question raised to Col. Battaglia was if the troops were having any problems with their absentee ballots, as this is election season. Battaglia looked very pleased that the question was asked, and said that in the past week, he’s seen absentee ballots, they’ve been received, and they are voting. He hasn’t heard any complaints for his brigade.