(Dialogue broadens to include other community issues) (360) The following article, by Specialist Derek Dexter, member of the 350th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, originally appeared on ArmyLink, an Internet news service of the U.S. Army, http://www.dtic.mil/armylink/news/stories/. (begin text) Iraqi Town Gets Curfew, Gun Laws by Spc. Derek Dexter Enacting curfews and mandating gun permits are ways soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, are hoping to protect Iraq's law-abiding citizens. BA'QUBAH, Eastern Central Iraq (Army News Service, May 21, 2003) - Task Force Ironhorse commander Maj. Gen. Raymond Odierno and Col. Dennis Rogers, 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander, recently met with local sheiks in the city of Ba'qubah to discuss the future of the city and surrounding countryside. Speaking with the aid of an interpreter, Odierno and Rogers released a statement saying they would like to have a committee of 10 local sheiks, nominated by their peers, to be the direct line of communication with Rogers. The curfew, which would run from 11 p.m. through 4 a.m. is to keep people who would do wrong away from those who want to obey the laws, Odierno said. In addition, civilians will be required to obtain a permit to carry firearms in the Ba'qubah area. Rogers established the policy and he and his staff will issue the permits. Anyone carrying a weapon without a permit will be detained and the weapon confiscated. The sheiks were given an opportunity to ask questions. Many expressed concerns about the re-creation of the police force and concern about families earning an income. One sheik said his tribe had 14-year-old boys working all day to try to support their families instead of attending school. It's going to take a while," Odierno said. "They were under the old regime for a long time." But, he added, the new government being set up between the coalition and the local sheiks will be a much better process. Part of setting up that new government will include establishing a committee of 10 local sheiks, to be nominated by their peers, to be the direct line of communication with Rogers.