Iraq Envoy Slams US Over Arms Supplies

[babylonsister]

Iraq Envoy Slams US Over Arms Supplies
by AFP staffwriters

WASHINGTON - Iraq’s ambassador to the United States Wednesday launched a withering attack on what he said was US slowness to provide basic weaponry to his country’s ill-equipped armed forces.

Samir Sumaidaie said the foot-dragging was inexplicable given President George W. Bush’s oft-stated desire for Iraqi forces to “stand up” and so allow US troops to withdraw from the frontlines. 0726 06

Rejecting suggestions that the Pentagon is reluctant to allow high-tech US weaponry to fall into Iraqi hands, the ambassador told reporters “we’re not talking about nuclear submarines” but basic arms like automatic rifles.

Despite being willing to pay out of its own funds, the Iraqi government has been “waiting and waiting and waiting” for Washington to come forward and has had to turn to other suppliers, such as China, for guns, he said.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/26/2789/

[mediaman007]

1. Any money on whether this makes the evening news?

[babylonsister]

2. No bets from me; pretty ridiculous, isn't it, considering we're supposed

to be training them to defend themselves? Without arms? :crazy: I'd call that mission: impossible.