Republican National Committee Release - 02 23 2006 Iraqfacts

NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 20, 2006

“The [New] Iraqi Special Operations Forces Are Rapidly Moving Toward Full Self-Sufficiency In Carrying Out The Combat Part Of Their Missions, American Officers Say …” (Thom Shanker, “Elite Iraqi Unit

Tal Afar Mayor Najim Abdullah Abid Al-Jibouri: “I have met many soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment; they are not only courageous men and women but avenging angels sent by the God himself to fight the evil of terrorism.” (Niles Lathem, “Lifted By

Seeks Footing As It Fills U.S. Boots,” The New York Times, 2/20/06)

Iraqi Pol’s Heartfelt Letter To U.S. ‘Angels’,’” The New York Post, 2/21/06)

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“Members Of The Army Green Berets And Navy Seals Accompany The Iraqi Counterterrorism Unit, But The Iraqis Take The Lead.” (Thom Shanker, “Elite Iraqi Unit Seeks Footing As It

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Al-Jibouri: “God bless this brave regiment; God bless the families who dedicated these brave men and women. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank the families. They have given us something we will never forget.”

Fills U.S. Boots,” The New York Times, 2/20/06)

“[In Early February], The Iraqi Navy Marine Unit Took The Lead In Protecting The Al Basrah Oil Terminal, Which Accounted For 98 Percent Of Crude Oil Exports In 2005.” (Department Of State Website, www.state.gov, Accessed

(Niles Lathem, “Lifted By Iraqi Pol’s Heartfelt Letter To U.S. ‘Angels’,’” The New York Post, 2/21/06)

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Al-Jibouri: “They are not dead, but alive and their souls hovering around us every second of every minute. They will never be forgotten for giving their precious lives.” (Niles Lathem, “Lifted By Iraqi Pol’s Heartfelt Letter To U.S. ‘Angels’,’” The New York Post, 2/21/06)

2/22/06)

“Renovation Of The Al Tarbia School In Adhamiyah, Baghdad Province Was Completed On February 8. … This Facility Will Provide Approximately 250 Students In Grades K-6 A Better Learning Environment.” (Department Of State Website, www.state.gov, Accessed 2/22/06)

Almost 40,000 Teachers Have Been Trained In Iraq. (“Rebuilding Iraq,” U.S. Department Of State, February 2006)

Almost 9 Million Math And Science Textbooks Have Been Revised. (“Rebuilding Iraq,” U.S. Department Of State, February 2006) 3 Million School Supply Kits Have Been Delivered To Students. (“Rebuilding Iraq,” U.S. Department Of State, February 2006)

“[S]ix Days A Week, Mail Carriers At 349 Post Offices Across Iraq Hand-Deliver Thousands Of Letters, To Greetings So Warm That They Often Include Dances And High-Pitched Warbles Of Sheer Joy.” (Sabrina Tavernise, “Neither War Nor Bombs Stay These Iraq Couriers,” The New York Times, 2/22/06)

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In 2003, Iraqis Sent 37 Tons Of Mail. In 2004, The Figure Rose To 43 Tons. Last Year, Iraqis Mailed 54 Tons Of Mail. (Sabrina Tavernise, “Neither War Nor Bombs Stay These Iraq Couriers,” The New York Times, 2/22/06)

Ibrahim Ismail Zaiden, A Postman In Dora: “It's something wonderful to get a letter … The paper, the stamp, the envelope. It is not just a piece of paper. It is something sacred.” (Sabrina Tavernise, “Neither War Nor Bombs Stay These Iraq Couriers,” The New York Times, 2/22/06)

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