Sunday, September 03, 2006
US and Iraq in deadlock over security handover
Security
A ceremony was delayed on Saturday to transfer control of Iraq's army from General George Casey, the US commander, to the Iraqi defence ministry. An Iraqi defence ministry source said the dispute was over the wording of a document in which the Iraqis want total control and the freedom to make independent decisions.
COMMENT: Whereas the handover may lead to less American combat involvement, it raises other problems. Iraq has no air force or navy. The bulk force is made up of several land divisions, most of which are poorly armed and trained. There are also fears that the army, already divided along sectarian lines, may get involved in the current sectarian strife. Many Muslim Sunnis, who make up the core of the insurgency, have frequently complained of army units taking sides in the fight.COMMENT ENDS.
A ceremony was delayed on Saturday to transfer control of Iraq's army from General George Casey, the US commander, to the Iraqi defence ministry. An Iraqi defence ministry source said the dispute was over the wording of a document in which the Iraqis want total control and the freedom to make independent decisions.
COMMENT: Whereas the handover may lead to less American combat involvement, it raises other problems. Iraq has no air force or navy. The bulk force is made up of several land divisions, most of which are poorly armed and trained. There are also fears that the army, already divided along sectarian lines, may get involved in the current sectarian strife. Many Muslim Sunnis, who make up the core of the insurgency, have frequently complained of army units taking sides in the fight.COMMENT ENDS.
