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Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad traveled to this central Iraqi city and capital of Babil Province to inaugurate another PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team).
The objective of the PRT is for US and Coalition partners, military and civilian, to work with Iraq's provincial governments to develop a transparent and sustained capability to govern, enhance security and rule of law, promote political and economic development, and meet the basic needs of the community.
Speaking to assembled provincial and Coalition officials at the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Khalilzad said "We regard Iraq's success as our own success. We are partners in building this new Iraq." He added that "We believe that working together to rebuild Iraq is not only important to the Iraqi people. It is important to the world, because transforming the Greater Middle East is the foremost challenge of our time."
Building on successful precedents in Afghanistan, the PRTs are a civil-military effort led by the U.S. Department of State with extensive support from U.S. and Coalition Forces. Depending on the needs of the individual province, they range in size from 70 to 100 persons. As Iraq is a more developed nation, the mission differs from Afghanistan. However, the teams have been designed with a similar robust defensive capacity, in addition to a strong advisory and developmental capability.
The Babil PRT is the second team to be certified in Iraq. First was the Ninewah PRT in the provincial capital of Mosul, announced during the visit of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on November 12th. Other teams are slated to be launched soon, following the national elections.
After meeting with provincial leaders, the Ambassador joined them on a walk-through of the archeological sites of Babylon. The PRT inauguration ceremony itself was conducted against the backdrop of the Ishtar Gate.
Contrasted with the suicide attack on innocent worshippers in a Hillah mosque during Ramadan, this new initiative underscores the difference between the terrorists and the Iraqi government and its Coalition partners. As Secretary Rice has said, "the enemy has no positive vision for the future of Iraq." The new PRTs will become the primary US link with provincial governments throughout Iraq, helping provide a visible sign of partnership between the US and Iraq on the path to success.
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