BAGHDAD — In a dimly lit room brightened by dusty plastic flowers, the U.S. officer showed up with small gifts for the Iraqi major. After pleasantries, the American got down to business — reviewing security preparations for elections.
“I recommend that you examine and search the polling centers before you move in,” said Capt. Nathan Williams, 28, of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment based at Fort Riley, Kan. Still, he said, “This is a well-organized plan. I applaud you for doing this.”
Iraqi forces ran the show during the Jan. 31 provincial elections, which went off without major violence. But the U.S. military played a crucial, behind-the-scenes support role, helping Iraqis who were stretched to the limit by the nationwide poll.
It’s an example of how the U.S. mission in Iraq has evolved during the past six years. At first the Americans were an invading army. Then they battled an insurgency. Now they’re mainly mentors and peacekeepers as the Iraqis take responsibility for their own country.
The new slogans: train, partner, advise and enable. If all goes well, this will be the final stage of the U.S. mission in Iraq, with American troops working to ensure that Iraq’s security forces are prepared to maintain security when the last American soldier has gone home.
The recent election served as a test case for the strategy. U.S. troops played the roles of diplomats, teachers and security experts — while balancing the need for safety with Iraqi ways of doing things.
Three days before the balloting, Williams met with Iraqi officer Imad Rassoul in a room adjacent to a Sunni mosque abandoned when Shiite militiamen drove Sunnis from the neighborhood two years ago in some of Baghdad’s most savage sectarian fighting. As Iraqi soldiers drifted in and out, Williams and Rassoul turned to the day’s business: how to guard the more than 50 polling stations in Hurriyah.
“These elections are important,” Rassoul said. “It is a new birth for Iraq.”
The next day, however, Williams was growing increasingly anxious about Iraqi preparations. He had sent platoon Sgt. John Bissen of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., to tour Hurriyah. Bissen handed out fliers at Iraqi checkpoints warning that al-Qaeda in Iraq wanted to disrupt the election by sending female suicide bombers among voters.
Williams was worried that razor wire still hadn’t been placed outside polling centers to control the movement of voters as they came in and out. He said he wanted the wire in place well in advance so there would be time to make adjustments.
Williams kept his frustrations to himself as he met two days before the vote with Iraqi army 1st Lt. Hussein Mahmoud and police Capt. Moayed Jamal. He calmly explained that the key to security on election day was to inspect and remove all cars from the areas around polling centers. Large crowds must not form because they could tempt suicide bombers to strike.
“Inshallah (God willing), the election will pass without incident,” said Lt. Mahmoud, who moved to the edge of his seat, stretched and yawned.
Jamal, the police captain, had a few things to ask of Williams. Policemen guarding the voting centers may not have enough food because stores would be closed on election day. “Families around polling centers often offer food and water, but they will be short of that too,” he said.
Williams promised to try to help.
Two days later, the polls opened in Hurriyah. By sundown the voting was over. There had been no attacks.
