CAMP AL TAHREER, Baghdad, Oct. 14, 2004 — Midway through a five-day period of weapons turn-ins at designated sites in eastern Baghdad, one senior leader with the 1st Cavalry Division called the initiative a step in the right direction, but that he'd like to see more.

Speaking with Iraqi journalists, Assistant Division Commander Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Hammond said he's not seeing the kinds of weapons he was hoping to see, specifically crew-served weapons and explosive ordnance.

“The only people that are turning in weapons so far are the people of Sadr City, not the militia,” Hammond said. Still, the general was pleased with the progress toward disarming the troubled eastern Baghdad slum area.

“I am very encouraged; I think we are going in the right direction,” Hammond said. “But I will only know that we are going in the right direction in the next few days when I see thousands of RPGs (rocket propelled grenade launchers), thousands of bombs, and bomb-making materials being turned in. Then I will know we are going in the right direction.”

Hammond met with six Iraqi journalists at the division's headquarters in Baghdad, discussing security concerns and rebuilding efforts in the Al Thawra District during a press luncheon.

As the meeting progressed, the conversation turned to the reconstruction efforts still being hampered by violence in eastern Baghdad.

“I am prepared to restart sewer, water and electrical projects,” Hammond said. “I have the contractors ready to start work. I am ready to put 15,000 people in Sadr City to work.

“The militia cannot put 15,000 people to work; cannot build roads or sewers, bring in fresh water nor provide electricity,” Hammond said. “The militia cannot educate your children. In fact, there is nothing I can think of that is good that the militia can do.”

Hammond feels disarming the militia in eastern Baghdad is only a start.

“They must do the honorable thing, and that is disband,” he said.

The 1st Cavalry Division is responsible for maintaining safety and security in the Iraqi capital. The general said that the division remains focused on improving the infrastructure of the city.

“The (Iraqi) people need to get their lives back in order,” Hammond said. “And they need improvements to their living conditions. That is what this initiative is all about.”