United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)
Capt. Carrie Batson

Contact: batsoncc@11meu.usmc.mil

Release # 1006-04-1004

11th MEU Marines make additional payments to Najaf residents
Oct 6, 2004

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DUKE, Iraq -- -- Marines from the 11th MEU dispatched a mobile payment team to neighborhoods in Najaf for 10 hours yesterday, making $176,180 worth of "on the spot" solatia and collateral damage payments to Iraqis caught in the crossfire when multinational and Iraqi security forces battled Muqtada al-Sadr and his militia in August.

The mobile team, which visited neighborhoods throughout the city for a second time this week, was created to expedite payments and ensure all Najafis have the opportunity to get paid for legitimate damage.

The mobile team serves as an augment to enhance weekly payouts held at the Government Information Center, which began Sept. 20.

Since then, more than $570,000 has been paid to 533 Najafis. Payments will continue as long as needed to meet each valid case.

Condolence payments, or solatia, are given to express sympathy for injury or death. Collateral damage repair payments are intended to cover damage to homes, businesses or other property.

"We've gone mobile to ensure every Najafi gets the opportunity to get quickly compensated for legitimate losses or injury," said Col. Anthony M. Haslam, commanding officer, 11th MEU. "We're thinking outside the box to expedite a slow process, motivated by the desire to make life better for the locals."


* For more information, contact Capt. Carrie C. Batson at batsoncc@11meu.usmc.mil


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Text-only version of release attached below:


11th MEU Marines make additional payments to Najaf residents.doc