Overhauling Iraqi security forces could cause collapse, analysts say

[ECH1969]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - (KRT) - Iraq's fledgling security forces are in danger of collapse if the newly elected government follows through on promises to purge the ranks of former regime members, politicians and analysts here warn.

The dismantling of Saddam Hussein's military is widely viewed as one of the gravest mistakes of the U.S.-led occupation, and the Bush administration has worked in the past year to reverse it by helping the interim Iraqi government restore the jobs of some highly skilled troops who served under Saddam. Now, analysts say, the incoming government led by Shiite Muslims is at risk of repeating the error that was blamed for swelling the mostly Sunni insurgency.

"The Americans tried it and discovered it was the wrong move," said Salman al-Jumaili, a Baghdad University professor who studies the insurgency. "Doing it again is going to make these men easy recruits for terrorism and will lead to the destruction of Iraqi forces.

A secular Shiite and former Baathist, Allawi staunchly opposes the new government's plan to reinstate de-Baathification. But Iraq's Shiite majority and influential Kurdish minority - the groups that bore the brunt of atrocities from Saddam's security apparatus - are for it. Both Shiites and Kurds have strong militias they hope will form the backbone of Iraqi forces. Haider al-Musawi, a spokesman for Chalabi, said under the new Shiite-dominated government, de-Baathification would be "energized" and cleaning out the security forces is a priority.

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/world/11127590.htm
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Looks like the Iraq government (if it ever gets a set up) is ready to make the same dumbass mistake as Bremer did.

[leftchick]

1. perhaps they will get Medals od Honor as well

Bremer and all of the other fools did1 :puke:

[daleo]

2. I believe Saddam's army was heavily Sunni (officer class anyway).

Naturally, the Shiites will prefer an army that is comprised primarily of their own people, and especially led by them. This seems predictable.

[alfredo]

3. I see a long bloody war between Baathist/Sunni and Shiite

Nobody likes being ruled by "the others."

[VegasWolf]

4. Hey, just because Bush fucked it up iss no indication that it can't be

accomplished!

[Disturbed]

5. Not including Sunnis in the Govt. power

will only prolong the Insurgency. Seems that Iraq has been fractured, thanks to the illegal U.S Invasion and Occupation.

[Alpharetta]

6. Maybe they can do what the U.S. does at home

and just start profiling all the moslems

[Rose Siding]

7. Incoming Iraqi leaders risk repeating big U.S. mistake

BY HANNAH ALLAM
FREE PRESS FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's fledgling security forces would be in danger of collapse if the newly elected government follows through on promises to purge the ranks of former regime members, politicians and analysts warn.

The dismantling of Saddam Hussein's military is widely viewed as one of the gravest mistakes of the U.S.-led occupation, and in the past year, the Bush administration has worked to reverse it by helping the interim Iraqi government restore the jobs of some highly skilled troops.

Now, analysts say, the incoming government led by Shi'ite Muslims is at risk of repeating the error blamed for swelling the mostly Sunni insurgency.

About half the troops and 75 percent of the officers in the new Iraqi military served under the old government, said Saleh Sarhan, spokesman for the Iraqi Defense Ministry. There are about 30,000 troops now, he said, but the goal is to have 120,000 by year's end. That goal is in jeopardy under the incoming government's plans.

http://www.freep.com/news/nw/iraq14e_20050314.htm

[bemildred]

8. So it would be the same as now? What would get worse? nt