Soviet generals helped prepare the Iraqi army for war against the US?

[Xenus Sister]

Pleeeease don't slam me for either duping (I just don't have time to go through everything) or for seeming like I give the Russia story any credence. It's just that someone posted this on another message board and it's very curious. It looks like it comes from April 02.

Is this old news to everybody? Is this a clever current fake to try to bolster the Russia story? What the heck?

http://www.gazeta.ru/2003/04/02/Wedidntflyto.shtml

Gazeta.Ru has obtained sensational evidence proving the involvement of a group of former Soviet generals in preparing the Iraqi army for war against the United States. The generals in question refused to discuss their degree of involvement, but admitted that just before the beginning of the US-led campaign against Iraq they received state awards from the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.


...Perhaps it is mere coincidence, but namely Igor Maltsev is rated as one of the best Russian experts in the sphere of operating air-defence systems, while Vladislav Achalov has extensive experience in the field of using rapid-reaction forces.

It is hard to predict the political fallout from the reports of Russian generals training Iraqis for war. On the one hand, both Achalov and Maltsev are retired generals and do not act on behalf of Russia’s official authorities. Their private trips to Baghdad do not violate any UN resolutions, or any other restrictions imposed on Iraq by the UN Security Council.

Yet, Russia’s indirect participation in the training of the Iraqi army to repulse the US-led invasion (in effect, Iraq is using the unique experience of Russia’s top, albeit retired officers) is likely to significantly complicate relations between Moscow and Washington. Besides, the Kremlin cannot say that it knew nothing of the services rendered by the former Soviet generals to the Iraqi military command, as such frequent trips to Baghdad could not remain unnoticed by the Russian security services.

Either they did remain unnoticed, which is doubtful, or it was decided to turn a blind eye to their trips.

[Hobarticus]

1. USSR trained EVERY mideast state at some point.

This won't go far.

[Xenus Sister]

2. Here's the thread

it came from: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5422870&postcount=270

[sangh0]

3. Two experts on "air defence systems" and "rapid-reaction"

So did you see much of either of those coming from Iraq during the invasion?

Their "assistance", is any, produced no air defense nor any rapid reaction. In fact, the Iraqi Army's performance was notable for the near complete lack of either.

Bagdhad's air defense involved shooting rifles in air when they heard the planes passing overhead.