Iraqis Hold Key to Legitimizing Their Own Security Forces

[cb88]

By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2004 – Iraqis, not the U.S. military, will ultimately
solve security problems within their country, the top American general in the
region said today.

"I think we all need to understand that the solution to Iraq's security
problems does not lay with the United States armed forces," Army Gen. John
Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command, said. "It's with the Iraqis themselves."

Abizaid and Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander of Combined Joint Task
Force 7, spoke from Baghdad via a video link to reporters in the Pentagon.

Abizaid said it's important to be both patient and innovative in building
institutions for various security forces, including the country's military,
police and civil-defense forces.

The two generals addressed the status of Iraqi security forces following recent
news reports outlining desertions and ineffectiveness. They conceded there have
been failures, but said there have been many successes as well.

"There are many Iraqis that have paid the ultimate sacrifice," Abizaid said.
"And we're extremely proud of the way that many of them have fought."

He said he believes the Iraqi forces will improve once there are solid chains
of command in place. "The truth of the matter is that until we get well-formed
Iraqi chains of command – all the way in the police service, from the minister
of interior to the lowest patrolman on the beat in whatever city it may be, and
the same for the army, from private to minister of defense – that it's going to
be tough to get them to perform at the level we want," Abizaid said.

A key addition will be the involvement of more senior Iraqis. The general said
senior officers in several important positions in the Ministry of Defense, the
Iraqi Joint Staff and field commands will be appointed over the next several
days.

He noted he and Sanchez have been closely involved in vetting and placing these
officers. "And I can tell you the competition for these positions has been
fierce," he added.

Sanchez pointed out American officials have consistently said it would take
time to build legitimate security forces within Iraq. "It's still going to take
us a significant amount of time to ensure that they are properly equipped,
properly trained and credible and capable with their countrymen," he said.

"It takes a long time to take security institutions from zero up to a level of
about 200,000 and expect them to come together and gel the way that they
should," Abizaid added.

Still, Abizaid said he believes the Iraqi forces are on the right track.

"We should not discount the Iraqi security services," he said. "They will
become the bulwark against terrorism and anti-democratic forces of this
country, because that's what the people want them to be."

[mpwife1165th]

CB
Although I agree with the premise that the Iraqis hold the key...so far their response has been less than what one could have hoped for. I understand that they have been living under an oppressive regime for ~ 25 years and have been cowed into submission by retaliatory acts...but for crying out loud. The only ones who appear to be willing to fight for their beliefs are the religious fanatics. The few who have stepped forward to rebuild their country have been assassinated and their countrymen do nothing.

[cb88]

Originally Posted by mpwife1165th

CB
Although I agree with the premise that the Iraqis hold the key...so far their response has been less than what one could have hoped for. I understand that they have been living under an oppressive regime for ~ 25 years and have been cowed into submission by retaliatory acts...but for crying out loud. The only ones who appear to be willing to fight for their beliefs are the religious fanatics. The few who have stepped forward to rebuild their country have been assassinated and their countrymen do nothing.

I couldn't agree more.