Sunnis pledge peace in Anbar

We handed over control of Anbar Province in a ceremony today in Ramadi, a city which has seen some of the heaviest fighting of the war in Iraq. The handover of a province means the Iraqi Security Forces take the lead in the governmental and security issues for the area.

My role in this event was to facilitate media coverage for the event. This has made me very popular and hated at the same time. Because of the need to transport so many government officials and military leaders we could only provide transportation to eight members of the media. My first task was to invite those eight reporters to join us in an Osprey flight out to Anbar. The road to Ramadi is still pretty dangerous so flying is the best option. Because of the security surrounding the event; I had to get them to commit to attend “a major media event”, without knowing what it was.

FOX news immediately replied,”Yes!” and got two of the seats but one major network would not commit unless we gave them specific details. They were just being difficult. The rumor mill over here is unbelievable, so they had to have a pretty good idea what was coming up. I asked again. I then got a call from the their bureau chief still saying if I would not give specific details they would not commit. I just said, “OK”. I scratched them off the short list. I simply cannot put the lives of our soldiers in jeopardy just so some members of the media cannot operate without details. We had already gotten a commitment from BBC for two of the seats, Associated Press had committed to one, and Reuters to the last. A New York Times and AFP reporter had been begging, but I told them it did not look likely. But with the noncommittal of the major network I called them and talked to two of the happiest reporters in the world. The next day the network called back wanting to know if the seats were still available. They were stunned when I told them they had been taken, but I was adding their name to the waiting list below The Christian Science Monitor, NBC, Time Magazine, and NPR.

We build the list based in hopes of achieving the broadest coverage possible. BBC and AFP are watched much more in the international community and FOX is “fair and balanced”. Right. But that was why we wanted the other major network, so we could cover the U.S. with the two extremes in reporting.

In the end I was able to get one additional seat for a “pool video reporter” who had agreed to provide reporting for all of the networks. And in a last minute surprise AP gave up their seat for a “pool photographer” from Getty Images. I was impressed by the willingness of AP to support all of the media in the war zone, and disappointed in AFP who called repeatedly refusing to share their product. That was until I reminded them we were providing free travel and access and there were many others who would gladly take their place. They decided to share.

The handing over of Anbar is exciting news for Americans who wonder when the war will be over. This is the 11th province we have returned to Iraqi control. It is significant because it is the first Sunni majority province to pass back to the Iraqis. If this goes well, the rest will follow quickly. We are looking at handing over three more before the end of the year. Once the Iraqi government has proven it can govern fairly and control the insurgency, we will all be going home. We are finding that peace produces more peace; the idea is spreading throughout the country that has grown weary of fighting.

For Michigan readers, you will be interested to know there are over 1000 Michigan Army National Guard members working out of Anbar. The Marine Corps would like for everyone to believe they are the only ones in the province. What is great is the Marine command put the Flint National Guard Infantry unit in Ramadi, the most difficult location in the province. I guess even Marines know tough when the see it. "We are from Flint, Michigan." says it all. I know most of the soldiers in the 125 because I commanded their Headquarters Company for two years. There are some damn fine soldiers in that unit and they have definitely proven themselves here in Iraq. After the sacrifices Michigan has made to Iraq, it is fitting our boys play a role in the significant event of the year.