General says Iraq army is 'willing,' but not ready

[ECH1969]

The new Iraqi army is "real, growing and willing to fight," but lacks basic equipment and will need up to five more years before it can wage war without U.S. military help, says a new report by a retired four-star general who toured Iraq in April.

Perhaps just as important, Sunni Muslims -- the minority sect who dominated Iraq under dictator Saddam Hussein but now find themselves at a political disadvantage -- are joining the army in large numbers, reports retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey.

Gen. McCaffrey also warns that "there is a rapidly growing animosity" among U.S. troops toward the press. "The reason it bothers me is shades of Vietnam," Gen. McCaffrey said. "It took my generation 20 years to get over Vietnam, the sense that the press had been against us as soldiers."

The battalion-level formation are in many cases excellent. Most are adequate," Gen. McCaffrey says. "However, they are very badly equipped with only a few light vehicles, small arms, most with body armor and one or two uniforms. They have almost no mortars, heavy machine guns, decent communications equipment, artillery, armor, or air transport, helicopter and strike support."

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060502-110459-2311r.htm

[saigon68]

1. Its Vietnamization

The Corrupt leadership siphons off a lot of $$$$

These clowns will never fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

[Javaman]

2. All heart and no balls or no heart and all balls????

"will need up to five more years before it can wage war without U.S. military help"...

Well, won't 5 years be to late? Either iraq will be divided into 3 states or they will be experiencing the after effects at the end of their fullscale civil war.

After reading the specs on the new embassy moron* is putting in there, moron* and his room full of dopes are never ever leaving in a million years, that is unless they chopper out off the roof. which is the most likely scenario.

I maintain, moron* is not leaving in 08. he lies about everything, he will lie about leaving too.

[saigon68]

3. It will end this way

[Javaman]

5. that is a truly amazing photo. I will never forget that image. nt

[Tempest]

4. They're not willing

Look what happened at the graduation recently when the recruits were given their assignments.

[Barrett808]

6. "Rapidly growing animosity" toward the press?

Do we believe that?

[Peter Frank]

8. No!...

This is the mantra of the desperate.

[onager]

7. Can anybody else see the light at the end of the tunnel?

:rofl: