Gen. Casey Says Iraqi Police Hobbled

[sabra]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3644750.html

Gen. Casey Says Iraqi Police Hobbled

BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. forces are accelerating efforts to build a strong, professional police force in Iraq but it will take time to instill democratic values in the ranks, the top American general here said Wednesday.

Gen. George Casey Jr., said the command has declared 2006 as the "year of the police," a tacit acknowledgment that the more than 80,000-strong Iraqi force has been hobbled by incompetence, corruption, sectarianism and low morale.

The U.S. military wants more than 130,000 police operating by 2007 as part of the strategy to shift security responsibility to the Iraqis so that American and other international troops can begin to head home.

"If Iraq is going to be successful here, the civil authorities have to be able to maintain domestic order and deny this as a terrorist safe haven," Casey said in an interview with The Associated Press and National Public Radio in his spartan office in the Green Zone.

[ECH1969]

1. Top US general says it will take time to instill democratic values in Iraq

U.S. forces are accelerating efforts to build a strong, professional police force in Iraq but it will take time to instill democratic values in the ranks, the top American general here said Wednesday.

Gen. George Casey Jr., said the command has declared 2006 as the "year of the police," a tacit acknowledgment that the more than 80,000-strong Iraqi force has been hobbled by incompetence, corruption, sectarianism and low morale.

The U.S. military wants more than 130,000 police operating by 2007 as part of the strategy to shift security responsibility to the Iraqis so that American and other international troops can begin to head home.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/02/09/military/16_25_402_8_06.txt

[54anickel]

2. You do not "instill" values based on a freakin due date. What are

"democratic values" anyway?

[pinniped]

5. That silly word sure does stick out.

I think they ordered the 'democKratic' instilling machines.

Take a number and step right up and be instilled with democKracy.

What's the deadline for entry again?

[pinniped]

3. There's those brand new shiny bases.

Did they put up the vacancy sign?

The Merkan taxpayer is very kind to provide Iraq with these 14 or so bases.

--American and other international troops can begin to head home.--

The bases are never mentioned in any mainstream articles.

[Geo55]

4. shuuush now ! .........them bases are only "temporary"

[HuffleClaw]

6. what a complete an utter sham

it was only weeks ago they assigned US military 'minders' to iraqi police units because they couldn't be trusted.