Iraqi forces concern U.S. commander

[sabra]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20061016-122853-6419r.htm

Iraqi forces concern U.S. commander

Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, is expressing growing concern about how quickly Iraq's emerging security forces can take over the job of fighting insurgents, say defense sources familiar with his briefings in Washington last week.

Contrasting Gen. Casey's latest assessments with more optimistic ones he gave early this year, the sources described him as "more sober" and "more concerned" about the progress of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). The Bush administration's opportunity to bring home troops and reduce battlefield deaths is tied directly to the ISF's ability to assume the counterinsurgency mission.

Sources did not describe Gen. Casey's mood as pessimistic. They say he still expresses confidence that the coalition eventually will win, but the timing is much more in doubt.

"His concern is the Iraqis are not standing up quickly enough to take this mission," said a defense source with knowledge of Gen. Casey's discussions in Washington. He briefed President Bush, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and other senior leaders.

[rodeodance]

1. The mission is to kill their brothers.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Rummy and Chimpy will take care of it. No need to worry, George.

You can trust them.

[Yupster]

3. I read Bremer's book

and this was a concern throughout.

The fear was the training was too quick and when left on their own they would disappear.

The tests have mostly been disappointing. He also said they would have to eventually can 50 % of the police as corrupt, but they couldn't do it because they didnt have anyone trained to replace them.

Truly a mess.

[bemildred]

4. US military calling Iraqis corrupt is pretty funny though. nt

[Javaman]

5. This is the side dish to the civil war main meal...

We keep training them and they keep vanishing. We are the rebels own best friend.

the civil war increases in brutality via the methods we teach.

Gas on fire.

[onager]

6. Harry S Truman got this one right...

"I didn't fire MacArthur for being a dumb son of a bitch, though he was. That's not against the law for generals. If it was, half of them would be in jail."

[goforit]

7. Ya guys have lost and your not MAN enough to admit it!!!

[Jacobin]

8. Gee, ya mean Iraqi soldiers aren't loyal to the puppet regime

installed by Bush?

I'm shocked, I tell ya, just shocked.