COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

South-Central Region

PRESS RELEASE

 Saturday, August 30, 2003

distributions to An Najaf province in response to terrorist bombing

An Najaf, An Najaf.  In response to the An Najaf bombing, the Coalition Provisional Authority South-Central Regional Office provided $200,000 (360 million Iraqi Dinars *) to establish a disaster response fund.  The fund will be used to purchase necessary medical supplies and equipment, to assist with emergency services, and to stabilize the building infrastructure in the surrounding area.         

Furthermore, CPA South-Central is prepared to fund another $2 million (3.6 billion Iraqi
Dinars *) in economic reconstruction grants for An Najaf.  The projects will result in increased employment for local people in Najaf Province.     

We express our deepest sympathies to the Hakim family, to the families of the other innocent victims, and to those injured in the terrorist bombing on Friday.  As Ambassador Bremer stated, “by murdering Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim, the terrorists are trying to strike a blow against the holy city of An Najaf, against harmony and democracy in Iraq and against freedom the world over.”

We in the Coalition Provisional Authority pledge to continue our efforts to work with the people of Najaf to build a better life in a new democratic Iraq.

* Assuming $1 equal 1,800 Iraqi Dinars.