http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49283-2004Sep25.html Battling for Iraq
By David H. Petraeus
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Helping organize, train and equip nearly a quarter-million of Iraq's security forces is a daunting task. Doing so in the middle of a tough insurgency increases the challenge enormously, making the mission akin to repairing an aircraft while in flight -- and while being shot at. Now, however, 18 months after entering Iraq, I see tangible progress. Iraqi security elements are being rebuilt from the ground up. ... And Iraqi leaders are stepping forward, leading their country and their security forces courageously in the face of an enemy that has shown a willingness to do anything to disrupt the establishment of the new Iraq.So you saw tangible progress three full years ago as well? What in the hell happened to THAT progess, General? So you thought the Iraqi leadership was doing a bang up job three years ago, General? What happened there?
Six battalions of the Iraqi regular army and the Iraqi Intervention Force are now conducting operations. ... Within the next 60 days, six more regular army and six additional Intervention Force battalions will become operational. Nine more regular army battalions will complete training in January, in time to help with security missions during the Iraqi elections at the end of that month.So that's 6 + 6 + 9 = 25 battalions you promised us would be completely operational by January 2005. So how many Iraqi fully trained and operational Iraqi regular army battalions are there three years after you made these promises, General?
Iraqi National Guard battalions have also been active in recent months. Some 40 of the 45 existing battalions -- generally all except those in the Fallujah-Ramadi area -- are conducting operations on a daily basis, most alongside coalition forces, but many independently. Progress has also been made in police training. In the past week alone, some 1,100 graduated from the basic policing course and five specialty courses. By early spring, nine academies in Iraq and one in Jordan will be graduating a total of 5,000 police each month from the eight-week course, which stresses patrolling and investigative skills, substantive and procedural legal knowledge, and proper use of force and weaponry, as well as pride in the profession and adherence to the police code of conduct.Wow! All of this sounds great! Success must be just around the corner! Right, General?
Regional academies in Iraq have begun training as well, and more will come online soon. In the months ahead, the 16,000-strong border force will expand to 24,000 and then 32,000. In addition, these forces will be provided with modern technology, including vehicle X-ray machines, explosive-detection devices and ground sensors.I assume all of these border patrols were fully operational long ago. How strong and effective is the Iraqi border force three years after these promises, General?
There will be more tough times, frustration and disappointment along the way. It is likely that insurgent attacks will escalate as Iraq's elections approach. Iraq's security forces are, however, developing steadily and they are in the fight. Momentum has gathered in recent months. With strong Iraqi leaders out front and with continued coalition -- and now NATO -- support, this trend will continue. It will not be easy, but few worthwhile things are.Sound familiar, General?
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