Fear keeps Iraqi army in the shadows

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http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayArticle.asp?col=§ion=focusoniraq&xfile=data/focusoniraq/2005/May/focusoniraq_May115.xml

BAGHDAD - One year after it was formed, the Iraqi army’s ranks are swelling but despite some successes against the brutal insurgency, fear has not yet changed sides.

The Iraqi ground forces inaugurated their first independent command center Sunday, an historic event attended by top US and Iraqi brass and meant to inspire new pride in the national army.

Yet following a string of executions, assassinations of high-ranking officials and devastating suicide attacks against Iraqi security forces, the army decided to do without the publicity.

The flag-raising and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in Baghdad but the press was under strict instructions not to disclose the headquarters location, name or photograph the senior Iraqi officers who attended.