Maj. Gen. John Kelly

While all of -- listen this we get general -- colony of talk about disabilities right topic you know what -- we see all the college that we love our whole theory if you can't Whitman talked about major general John Kelly might was of was maybe was able to join us. With delighted to welcome him to parents for me -- broadcasting in Boston. Todd -- in Tom Finneran welcome major general John Kelly who by the way happens to grown up in bright bright idea -- where we're broadcasting major general Kelly welcome. We're doing great general and thank you very very much for Iraq Colin Todd Feinberg is my cohost. How we'd already told the audience that whatever topic we were talking about would be dropped immediately. Out of respect the your duties and responsibilities. In Iraq remains in the news and has been a draw down of some troops. In a change in in in command structure which General Petraeus moving onto other responsibilities. Can you give us -- us sense of the the dynamics on the ground -- in Iraq today major general.

What we're sure I mean I'm responsible for a beyond our problems which was one time the most dangerous. It was called studio creditor group in the most dangerous part of Iraq. And they've all been all the bread defeated now that is you know Carter. You market while more like third tour there might serve almost yearlong tour and it's very very different place you know we're still wearing helmets flak jackets. We still have several incidents do you know week violent incidents but almost no one hurt that would not what we haven't. We haven't lost the Marines since PSE -- wire from mash the above three weeks ago. Ability to trigger different place in what happened and aren't bar with the Marines have been fighting now for over four years. Israeli spread throughout much of the rest of -- so. You know really the the violence is down it doesn't mean that are predicated periodically set off a truck bomb something in. And do their murderers then what that violence is. Now on the people of Iraq of very very accepting accepting it factored in on -- they absolutely love the Marines in this. We we are the most trusted tribe calls Maureen tried. They called -- that feels really the most trusted people look in the country at least it looked away before they're able sometimes all the good it looked towards. That helped them deal with their own. Government in Baghdad so things are very very different -- very much better.

What it what caused that change had happened was it was that a natural confluence of events or was it tactical changes that we implemented.

Well when we first that there. You know what five years ago now I guess after Baghdad fell. There was a real period of time with the people. Actually the vast majority of people country were very happy to see -- pro. We're very happy to see ya now fortunately. There were others who wore them and they started do violent things against starts I deed and that kind of thing. I think if we particular bit of repressed weak military that a little bit of break the it just -- rather than get. Really you don't get too violent and our our true a lot of heavy handed out -- responses. We didn't -- things started to spiral out of control and -- bar. We would and in we -- the 82 airborne above four years ago. And what we get -- get the violence which would really just taken off Fallujah one in Fallujah to. I was in the this summer and in the fall -- But the point is if you talked to -- extra days which are speak big part of that this decided if -- senator Graham. Why did why did things get so bad that there would tell you that the young men there in Iraq -- responding at least their perception. -- have witnessed and that is our critic came in from the outside in ability affordable. They've made common cause with. What I would -- the nationalist insurgents but locals. The put two things happen one. We on the ground -- in are -- apartments step Murdoch primarily moraine but we always are significant numbers of pressures they -- are corpsman. And at least brigade of -- you're. Infantry as well but large current short will be. And -- in the national news that we were we will beat them. And Al Qaeda began to be very very brutal towards the people trying to set up there -- six formal extremists. Lifestyle. So those things came together the credit were will -- the locals we will beat them like we don't them -- Marines and soldiers. They came to a vote over a year ago and -- you walls -- you know you always -- educate your health. The deal -- much better deal that we cut the deal the deal was. -- Will protect you and let's rebuild this this place to get.

Is there rebuilding and the reconstruction going on general while you still in the midst of -- zone. Which you described yourself you mentioned. You mentioned mr. McGuire and allowed them the Massachusetts servicemen. We buried just a few weeks back so obviously it is that it. Incidents of war recurring on are still a regular basis Heidi reconstruct in the midst of that.

Well it has -- had a tough guys. That are that are referred to gold medal to barter in the early morning hours to tracked down the remnants of that -- remnants -- folk -- At the same time you're -- equally brave tough guys and gals that are out there. Talking to deal with the mayor of Fallujah meaning the brain that are there and our means they meet with the with the local officials mayors in. Police changed all that. They and they -- very very close relationships with them. And then of course the tribal organization helps you -- because they can bring the people. The tribal sheiks can bring the people period or you could do was convinced -- shakes a week. We've been investing. You know among citizens and the fact that to a great deal of money United States money. Into -- into active help rebuild it but probably large march. I started shifting away from spending US money which is convenient money. I can spend. I started the back off suspended US money in start to force or help. Iraqis to spend it at all. Albania socialist government. They've never done like a budget before they ever had there. Response to the citizenry we taught them how to do that how to. Take into consideration. The you know what to citizens want in the country whether it's health care or write. And then help them build a budget that supports what through its citizens want to pass the budget. An indicator told me that I would be spent more time tomorrow in my life. Rather than brought -- shoot people attractive people -- shoot them in spending most of my time teaching shakes. Local officials and frankly the population of -- Police -- democracy won -- won the kind of things that are cute. Learn in force -- such great. You know in civics classes -- official said the -- used to what I want to school but that just teach them both what are what are responsible government is close to do. And it exists only to serve its people. Sourced from -- we spent most our -- want for your art to your question I've turned a significant amount of US money that was given the need expendable forty billion dollars at least most of turn and at the end of this month for the fiscal year because we managed to a transition over to -- the arts spending Iraqi Government money of course.

Is that turning over -- Anbar Province. Back to the Iraqis is all about that they becomes their responsibility financially to administer.

Exact -- what part of it and security wise we have. Essentially turn these security over to look to them as of the 1 September and what that means is. Although restore very close working relationships with the police in and yeah intelligence agencies in the army. What do what do you know explosion or -- or gunfire was off insurgency Fallujah. We don't question like we want stated we wait if the police metres so calls. What we really provide the more than any else knowledge intelligence that they can't gather that they have their own means of getting intelligence which is effective but we have. Other more technical means that are perspective and and on top of that. That's a -- could bomb technicians so refined the ball well reasoned and argued he goes off. They call it sin four explosive ordinance guys to do the forensics on the -- You know collect evidence and all of that but for the most part we -- we are what we call tactical war which means were backed out of the city's. We live in patrol around the cities in the course willful call --

Major general they taking the Iraqis having now taken responsibility as you've just described for lawlessness for the Iran's security. They showing the type of of a pride in that mission. That hey we have -- coming into our own as a responsible. People and I you know I don't mean to make it sound as of -- and up lecturing position to them. But. -- you know you know about a spree decoy you'd leave you'd be able lived that life if you lead men and women in combat and a certain way. Are you seeing that same pride that same esprit --

That's a great point -- and I that we absolutely are what one thing to remember Bakhtiar in both. A book -- Iraqis in particular and they're very -- their history. No we start in terms the American revolution they taught in terms of the development of agriculture certainly 500 years ago. And they're they're as aware of their city 510000. Year history as we are. Or little whatever is 3400 year history they're very proud people. Very passionate about their religion or passionate about family. Kind of it reminds me an awful lot the way America was in the fifties. Where you know the families took care of each other which appeared year old you know grandparents -- all. The religion is not a religion it's instead is my -- view it is not a religion of violence. People like in every religion that has a -- citizens in. Some men have but it is not a religion while.

The other lunatic fringe there that that high right acts the religion.

Right in in now that we are able to turn over. Because they didn't like it for both the last year that we were spending so much a part time and effort. Protecting map program likes to be protected it's a very male society. So they don't they didn't but they love it now affected they're making common cause without. We have shifted most of the security. Over Japan and again they just policy and when they. And indeed helpful one under.

Well it's an incredible story Anbar Province of what's gone on there a teeny bit of history even part of -- happen.

But lord is bad and remember in departments -- at all or services. Party now the last four years in the in this kind of what I've described you -- happening. More or less and every other part of lack. In civil war it is not over. But it's it's darn close to and that we we spent most of our time but I expect backing up Iraqi police and army. But not doing anything you know from the.

You know major Brian Goldman who's been a guest here from time to time and I served with in the Massachusetts legislature general. He is so proud of what you've done in of course that Alston bright background. Is that I think a -- and how slow that he's been over to Iraq as well. Give us from your perspective this the -- is that the good I'll call the central government in Baghdad. And you know I I I detect some tension now between the central government in Baghdad in the bush administration on a negotiation of a timetable to withdraw our roles and certain conditions on the ground. What's your sense of it here in the midst of that Strom what should we know about it.

Well in in very former speakers I understand you understand what politics are all about. You know the public. The public statements aren't coming out of Baghdad's central government or not. Really what they want. They're negotiating with arts -- bracket that the people frankly don't want to -- for for. You know because we are -- steadily. And confident if you will or stability in the lives. But for shorty you're Iraqi Government that the ministerial departments the level. You don't want to seriously eventually and directions sizing -- of this sovereign rights. To. To define -- But again what -- public statements are aren't always exactly what is what they want like you know apart politics politics and would go America. It -- themselves the Iraqi Government. They are learning how to be simple but you'd -- all the -- your country. Which is one brand of or options. Oh -- ideal 99% with Sunnis. -- there's always been a Sunni Shia and dislike maybe sometimes been violent though the course of the century's. But the candidate cities the the Sunnis are looking towards in non bar to a central government. With a with a hole in the central government and increasingly looking towards the Sunnis. With not not as much suspicion but which trust -- I think were withdrawn from the get of that as far as the economics in the please go remembers it. There's a totalitarian government. It was page centralized government everything came out of if you think about it Baghdad. -- venture money are you get a tax rate so that all all war oriented toward Reno better than you do. Well how you should leave your wife and how should know. Spend all -- so so these people at work the Baghdad -- primarily the our American -- heroes they're teaching them. How to again develop. A budget. Pass a budget executed budget in order look dotted our own erode capital Washington I don't believe -- They've -- in the budget passed. Fiery by the first park over in a lot I think eighteen.

And many many moods -- Gerald. It's there it's a great point and on that point we will let you get back to those -- responsibilities a good reminder that we think we have mass that the game and we struggle with that I cells political impasse. And elects a major general John Kelly has been and I guessed fabulous group sorry for the interruption to the calls but we try to giving ample warning and grateful. Taught and I and all the listeners for a of the time as well as the service major general nor parent news was victory -- little --