General: Iraqi Forces Still Need Help

Senior General Tells Congress U.S. Aid To Iraqi Army Needed For Foreseeable Future

(AP)  U.S. aid for Iraq's army and police units will be needed for the foreseeable future, although the security forces are becoming increasingly independent, a senior general will tell Congress on Wednesday.

In written remarks prepared for a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Army Lt. Gen. James Dubik said that the size of Iraq's forces have grown by more than a quarter in the past year, from 444,000 to 566,000. They also are improving their ability to execute operations on their own.

But they still lack experienced military leaders and have yet to become proficient at training new recruits, added Dubik, who until last week led the Multi-National Security Transition Command in Iraq.

Dubik's testimony comes as the Iraq war remains a key issue in the upcoming presidential elections and progress of Iraq's security forces is widely seen as necessary to help smooth a U.S. exit to the unpopular five-year war.

"Our assistance may change in organization and size over the coming months or years, but some form of partnership and assistance, consistent with strategic objectives is still necessary," Dubik wrote. "The Iraqis know this; we should remember it too."

When he testified before Congress in January, Dubik said Baghdad was on track to reach some 580,000 members by the end of the year but that they were still a long way from becoming self-sufficient. Iraqi officials estimated to him that the country probably won't be able to assume responsibility for internal security until sometime between 2009 and 2012 or defend its borders before 2018, Dubik said.

In this week's testimony, Dubik recommends streamlining complex laws and regulations that he says have delayed U.S. military equipment purchased by Iraq. Iraq has ordered $2.7 billion in equipment, but received just $1.4 billion.

Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick assumed control of the U.S. training command last week. Dubik is retiring after 37 years of service.

[kollmuss]

IF YOU WITHDRAW YOUR TROOPS FROM IRAQ, YOU ARE ASKING FOR ANOTHER NATIONAL WAR TRAUMA (THINK ANOTHER NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR TRAUMA).



Andreas Kollmuss
Sweden

[dumbocrat]

The 30 year war continues:

Iran 1977
Islamic Revolution Starts, Iran Declares war on the %u201Cgreat satan America%u201D ; Americans die, Carter does nothing

1980 - 1988
Islamic Revolution in Iran Grows; Americans and Jews killed worldwide by muslim terrorist.
Reagan uses Saddam to fight Iran; It prevents another Vietnam, saves American lives, but doesn%u2019t get the job done.

1988 - 2000 Bush Sr and Clinton do very little. Islamic Fundamentalist gain strength and spreads worldwide. Muslims blow up the WTC for the first time, several US embassies and a US warship.

2000 to present - Bush Jr. Finally attempts to put a stop to them after thousands of Americans murdered by Muslims on 911. Muslims murder more non believers in England, Spain, Israel and more
Iran building Nukes and missiles to destroy Israel and building bombs to kill American soldiers.

McCain vows never to surrender and win the 30 year war. Obama vows to retread from 1 of the many battlefields.

Liberals nationwide in USA rally to support Islam and defeat McCain!

And the naive duped sheep chant.. Obama Akbar! Obama Akbar!

[xmanborg]

George W Bush when the FRACK are you going to stop saying IRAQ needs help.

WE HAVE SPENT WAY TO MUCH MONEY THERE. HOW about building a Bullet Train across the USA instead of helping Iraq any more.

No problem. They have 16 months after January 20, 2009. America prepped 90 day wonders before, America can do it again. America trained recruits in 6-8 weeks and landed them in Japanese theatres of war, America can do it again. Bring it on, bring them home.

[truth832-2009]

Army Lt. Gen. James solution is to save the people of Iraq despite themselves or their government. Bring our troops home ASAP!

[liberalme]

General: Iraqi Forces Still Need Help


Translation: We have not gotten the OIL yet--we will leave once our "real" Mission is "Accomplished"!!!

[nssherlock1]

If Iraq needs someone to look after them, tell them to call eHarmony. Bring the U.S. troops home.

[whiskyrocker]

We need to get out of Iraq now!

[standncount]

According to Iraq they would like to have a timetable of U.S. withdrawal. So who really thinks Iraq wants us there?

[mcvet]

Ignoring your poor grammar, what evidence do you have that we stole oil? Put up or shut up, idiota.
Peace and Love

Posted by nwihoosier at 06:17 AM : Jul 09, 2008

LOL Okay, so not everyone has the Fascist Dictionary!! LOL Let''s put it in Bush Speak... you Nazi''s understand that MUCH more! We haven''t CONVINCED the people of Iraq of the advantages of having Exon, Texaco and Shell run their Oil Fields yet! Now does THAT help? Sieg Heil. These fascist have such small minds that anything outside their area of belief is NOT possible so you have to do what Rush and the other fascist "BRAIN''S" do everyday. ROFLMAO