NYT: Worry Grows as Iraq's Defense Ministry Falls Short of Expectations

[DeepModem Mom]

Worry Grows as Iraq's Defense Ministry Falls Short of Expectations
By DAVID S. CLOUD
Published: August 3, 2005


BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 1 - The reformed Iraqi Ministry of Defense, a crucial element of any American plan to withdraw troops, is riddled with crippling problems that have raised concerns about its ability to keep Iraqi units paid, fed and equipped once it assumes full responsibility for the army, American and Iraqi commanders say.

The shortcomings of the ministry, which was overhauled under the American occupation authorities last year, are a growing concern to the American commanders. Hoping to withdraw large numbers of the 135,000 American combat troops in the next year, these commanders say their plans hinge on a functioning ministry. If American troops leave without one in place, they say, the Iraqi Army could quickly collapse.

"What are lacking are the systems that pay people, that supply people, that recruit people, that replace the wounded and AWOL, and systems that promote people and provide spare parts," said a top American commander in Iraq, who asked not to be identified because his assessment of Iraqi abilities went beyond the military's public descriptions.

"If they don't have that capability, we won't be able to take the training wheels off and let them operate independently," the commander said.

So concerned are military planners that, in the event that American combat troops do indeed leave over the next year, they are preparing to keep large numbers of support troops and supplies in Iraq or in nearby countries, ready to assist Iraqi units fighting insurgents, the American commander said....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/03/international/middleeast/03ministry.html

[bemildred]

1. WuhWeGonnaDo? WuhWeGonnaDo? WuhWeGonnaDo?

You have to wonder if it's starting to dawn on these morons that it's going to take more than a new PR offensive to get out of this mess?
:puke:

[shrike]

2. American neocons must be the stupidest people on earth

Nothing that happens over there surprises me. But they're worried.

[krkaufman]

3. Oh, that's be a great formula...

Send our support troops in to supply the Iraqi army. Just crazy.

[Toots]

4. Isn't support where all our women soldiers are?

That's the ticket. Leave our women in Iraq without combat troops to protect them. Before you all flame me I am just throwing out a sound bite. I don't believe for a moment women need men to protect them in the military.

[krkaufman]

5. Nor would we leave the support troops wholly unprotected.

However, sending the support troops into areas not regularly patrolled is going to be exceedingly more dangerous than it is today -- and I think we've seen over the last 10 days just how dangerous "today" is.

[callous taoboy]

6. Saw a bumper sticker this morning:

"Character does matter: Vote Republican." I will be placing an appropriate, courteous reply on car owner's windshield.

[Barrett808]

7. I think the Iraqi military will be fine, with all that insurgent support

Since the military and police are thoroughly infiltrated, the insurgent logistics system should support them quite nicely. Especially with US forces soon to be out of the way.

[gratuitous]

8. But aren't they about to adopt a constitution?

I mean, first an election, now a constitution. That's all you need, right? We can pull every man-jack out of there on August 16, right? Quit our entanglements in foreign affairs? Stop nation-building, which is NOT the mission of the military? Right? Right? We can all go home now, can't we?

[VegasWolf]

9. They are not ready to protect Bush's oil yet, we'll be stuck there for

awhile longer.