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Iraq-Jordan
Allawi Reorganizes Forces to Fight Terror
2004-06-20
Iraq's interim prime minister announced a restructuring of the country's security forces on Sunday, saying all Iraqi resources would be directed toward fighting terrorism and that he was considering imposing "emergency law" in some areas. Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi also asked countries to bolster their support to Iraq's beleaguered forces — particularly in terms of equipment.
I'm still having trouble with this concept that Iraq needs military equipment. Under Sammy, it was bulging at the border with military hardware. He had an explosives fetish. Iraq bought hardware instead of groceries for years. Surely we haven't destroyed it all yet? And then there's the matter of the hardware that's being used against us and the Iraqi civilians right now...
"Until our forces are fully capable, we will continue to need support from our friends," Allawi told reporters. "We hope that additional international support will be forthcoming. Assistance for the protection of United Nations efforts in Iraq would be especially appreciated." Allawi was asked about his response to Saturday's U.S. airstrike against what the Americans said was a hideout of the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi terror network in Fallujah. The Health Ministry said at least 16 people were killed, and an Iraqi security officer in the Sunni Muslim city said there was no evidence of foreign fighters among the dead. Allawi said "we welcome" such strikes against terrorists "anywhere in Iraq" but added that he was told of the attack only a short time beforehand. "This pattern will change" after the handover of sovereignty June 30, he said.
Posted by:Fred

#6  It also could be things like boots, uniforms, truck tires, all the sort of things that help a military fight and win but don't make you look cool at the Dictator's Lodge
Posted by: Anonymous   2004-06-20 9:45:08 PM  

#5  Welcome back DS, post more often (please!), and stay safe. Anything we can do for you from back here?
Posted by: Steve White   2004-06-20 1:47:09 PM  

#4  Indeed - Welcome back DS - stay safe!
Posted by: Frank G   2004-06-20 1:15:36 PM  

#3  Ohhhhh... welcome back, DS!
Posted by: Anonymous5089   2004-06-20 1:13:11 PM  

#2  Besides, most of what they bought is crap from Russia and France.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2004-06-20 1:03:03 PM  

#1   Actually, they do need equipment.

a lot of what Hussein bought as far as heavy armament goes is sitting in a boneyard until someone figures out what to do with it. Also, they have to figure out how much of it actually works.

as for what you see on the streets and in attacks, that stuff has been looted from caches for the most part. Either way, it's definately not in the hands of the ISF.

I believe that Allawi is probably the best thing going for us right now as far as Iraqi leadership goes. Once the responsibility for any consequences in Iraq are laid on him I think you will see more aggressive moves, not less aggressive. Allawi knows how to play hardball and he's not afraid of seeming un-PC. He also is connected in all the right Arab ways.

If he were a horse, I'd bet the farm on him.

That is, of course, if he manages to stay alive long enough to do anything. I'm not too worried about that. He is the survivor type.

-DS
"Live from Baghdad"
Posted by: DeviantSaint   2004-06-20 12:57:01 PM  

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