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BAGHDAD, Iraq (July 29, 2008) - Deep-purple eggplant glisten in
the sun while stacks of fresh watermelon rest on display safely
under cover from the midday 115-degree heat as Multinational
Division Baghdad Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd
Brigade Combat Team walk the street admiring the produce and
assessing needs of a popular fish market in the Suleikh
neighborhood of Baghdad's Adhamiyah district July 24.
The patrol was part of a continued effort to build on the
economic success the unit has seen in Adhamiyah.
"The fish market is a great example of what improved security
can mean in the lives of Iraqis," said Army Maj. Byron Sarchet,
information operations officer for 3rd BCT. "This piece of Baghdad
has seen little U.S. or [Iraqi army] presence lately. Security is
being provided by the Sons of Iraq currently, and the market is
thriving."
Sons of Iraq are local residents who have taken on some of the
responsibility for providing security in their neighborhoods.
But some dangers come with the limited U.S. presence that
security success has provided. Sarchet said simple problems with
simple solutions often can easily become big problems for U.S. and
Iraqi forces if left unattended. Just driving by the fish market,
it's easy to get the impression of a flourishing market with no
troubles in sight, but a cursory walk through the streets uncovers
a problem.
Abdul al-Setar, an Iraqi business owner, runs into the street to
greet the U.S. Soldiers. Through an interpreter, he gives an
animated report that his home and shop have power for only an hour
a day. "It is too hot. This is not good for my wife and family,"
Setar tells the Soldiers hoping they can bring relief.
After a round of tea from a street vendor, the Soldiers begin
their search for the generator meant to provide power to the
street. They don't look far before an Iraqi woman approaches with
the same concern as Setar's.
The patrol soon finds two generators in the market in similar
degrees of disrepair. Sarchet said the first thought might be to
contract for repair or replacement of the generators, but that
doesn't help the Iraqis solve the problem for themselves.
"We can't let the fish market flounder," he said before
explaining what the best solution would be. "It's important to find
a local guy with a vested interest in the market and the economy to
help provide power to the neighborhood," he said.
Another walk around and the patrol encounters a small store with
a healthy generator powering about 60 shops along the busy street.
Mustafa Abud Aller is happy to invite the Soldiers in to see his
shop, and he proudly shows off the generator that he and his
brother-in-law maintain.
"Can you fix the generators in the market?" Sarchet asks
Mustafa, who answers enthusiastically that he could, but that it
would cost money.
"Sure, this guy is taking advantage of the situation," Sarchet
said, "but that's business. If we can quickly get him $3,000 and he
becomes the power company for the neighborhood, that's
business."
Less than two years ago, Adhamiyah was wrought with violence and
sectarian strife. Now, markets are flourishing all over the
district. Iraqis sell fresh produce, clothes, electronics, auto
parts and other wares, bringing normalcy to the area and
stimulating the economy. But Sarchet warned that peace is fragile
without continued interaction and communication with the
people.
"The market here is thriving because the people have had a taste
of how good it can be. We just have to keep progressing forward,"
he said.
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