High-ranking members of Iraq's Ba'athist Party renounced their political affiliation and turned in numerous weapons at a meeting in northwestern Iraq January 12, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

While not giving the names, party titles or numbers of the Iraqis involved, the CENTCOM press release specified the kind and quantity of weapons surrendered, and said the meeting took place in Tallafar, northwestern Iraq. The release said the weapons would be turned over to the Iraqi police.

The Ba'ath Party was a chief instrument of Saddam Hussein's 30-plus years of rule in Iraq.

HEADQUARTERS U.S.. CENTRAL COMMAND
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

January 12, 2004

FORMER BA'ATH PARTY MEMBERS DENOUNCE AFFILIATION, TURN IN WEAPONS

MOSUL, Iraq -- High-ranking members of the Ba'ath Party renounced party affiliation today at a meeting in Tallafar in northwestern Iraq while fellow Iraqis and leaders from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) witnessed.

In addition to renouncing their Ba'ath Party affiliation, the officials turned in weapons to Col. Michael Linnington, commander, 187th Infantry Regiment, and Lt. Col. Christopher Pease, commander, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, who handed the weapons over to local police.

More then 120 AK-47s and three machine guns were handed in. That brings the total number of weapons collected by 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT) to 719 AK-47s, four rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), 30 RPG rounds, 15 hand grenades, two mortars and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

All of the weapons collected will be given over to Iraqi police and the Iraqi military for use in maintaining security, said the Tallafar chief of police.

"These weapons will be used for the future security force of this country," Linnington said. "The goal is Iraq for Iraqis."

The 101st continues to work with the citizens and leaders of Iraq to make it a safe, prosperous, and democratic nation.