Summary

COLOR SYNC Conference in Iraq held April 28, 2003 to Iraqi leaders to discuss reconstruction 00:00:00 - 00:05:05 prior to start of conference, people mingling in the room 00:05:10 - 00:09:30 start of meeting by the reading of a few verses from the Koran - everyone stands and then is seated 00:09:30 - 00:13:50 thank you to all who have come from all areas of Iraq - some had difficulties getting there but applaud your commitment to building a new Iraq. Purpose of meeting is for those assembled to hear from Jay Garner regarding reconstruction and humanitarian structure as well as to continue the national dialogue that was started in Nasaria in regard to building the Iraqi interim authority as soon as possible. First Jay Garner will prsent and then discussion will begin about the principles in building a free and democratic Iraq. We will read the principles that were developed in Nasaria to facilitate that discussion and for volunteers to chair and co chair those sessions. After lunch we will have a focused discussion on how to build the Iraq INterim Authority. INtroduces General Jay Garner 00:13:50 - Garner mentions that the Iraqi people brought forth a culture that represents civilization and codification of law (mike goes out). 00:16:00 - 21:00Garner mentions that the raqi people brought forth a culture that represents civilization and cbrought about goverment process and codified laws for the first time and society as we know it started here. (simultaneous translation going on ) .... it is our responsibility to give democracy a chance here today and continue from what we started in Nasaria. I am here and Tim Cross is here, is to create an environment in Iraq which will give us a process to start a democratic government, which represents all people, all religions, all tribes, all ethnic groups, all profesions and to begin that process that we will have a government that will represent a free society. TO start that we have two paths to travel and these paths are side by side. First path is reconstruction and the second path is government. I am going to give you a report on reconstruction and you are going to give the process of government. It is our job to give you the tools you need and the resources. But before we can begin reconstruction successfully we have to have security. We are trying to put security throughout Iraq. It is very difficult but we will make this happen....discusses an upcoming town hall meeting about security and we have asked for people to join us and we will do this throughout Iraq. The qustion will be where do you need security and how do we bring forth a police force that will be accepted by the people. 00:21:00 - 00:24:30 Tim Cross introduces himself and talks about how he helped to liberate Kuwait 12 years ago. He refers to many assembled in the room have returned to Iraq after several years and with great pride we have come to help you rebuild this great country. He says he knows security is a big issue and it is of concern to all but that they are working hard to make it better. There are people who are claiming to be working with the Coalition and they are using force to move people from their homes and establish their own areas of responsibiity.. General McKiernan who is responsible for secure environment in which we operate, has made it clear that this is unacceptable...these people are not working with us - 00:24:30 - 00:28:00 ws of room. Garner talking that one of the most important things is to get the people back to work. and in a matter of weeks we will be able to pay people salaries. They discuss payment process. He introduces general from Corps of Engineers who will help to get infrastructure working and to get materials here to your engineers. 00:28:00 - 00:32:33 General Carlstadt(?) talks about success of getting power plants up and running. We must now turn our attention to the national system so we can move power to where it is needed more effectively. Electrical system requires fuel so we are working hard to restore the oil fields. Our first priority is to provide fuel to the refineries because we know this nation provides for itself in the area of fuel. It is aprropriate that the first flowing of oil in a free Iraq is for the benefit of the Iraqi people (applause). We know it is importnat to get the oil flowing for export as this is the wealth of the Iraqi people and you must benefit from that wealth. When I say ""we"" I am referring to the Iraqi people with the assistance of the American and British. The key is to get your peopleback to work. This is a nation of engineers and you are very very capable of doing this on your own. The people we have worked with show confidence and commitment and with hazard to their own health to put your systems back in place. 00:32:35 - 00:36:45 ws room - Garner talks about health and sanitation needs - this goes back to security issues. pan of room. Talks about the needs for people in public service to come back to work and we are prepared to pay them rapidly. TIm Cross talks about how they plan to implement this through meetings with people at the individual ministries to locate the leaders of the ministries and to listen to their needs. 00:36:45 - 00:41:40 Garner talks about preparations to be ready for the harvest. So the work this week and next is to provide security and get water, hospitals, teachers and students back to pre-war and to prepare for the harvest. Cross adds that there is assistance from other countries from around the world. We look to you to tell us how best the international community can help... we will make mistakes. Some of the things we have spoken about will take time. We need to hear from you when we make mistakes and we will try to improve and not make those mistakes again. We need you as the possible future leaders of Iraq to talk to your people to help and to be patient so that together in the weeks and months ahead their lives will get better instead. Garner talks about how he prays that his two grandaughters will be able to grow up in a world full of peace and prosperity. And now we have this opportunity to establish a government where your sons and daughters, grandsons and grandaughters will be safe and free