Despite bombings, U.S. says Iraq must keep lead security role

[unhappycamper]

Despite bombings, U.S. says Iraq must keep lead security role
By Michael Gisick, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, December 10, 2009

BAGHDAD — Despite another round of massive bombings that underscored the threat of political violence ahead of March elections, it remains unlikely that U.S. troops will take a major role in security during the vote.

The bombings Tuesday at government offices in Baghdad, which killed at least 127 people and wounded more than 500, raised tough questions for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki about the abilities of Iraq’s security forces ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for March 7.

The U.S. military has warned of a possible rise in violence ahead of the vote.

“The government of Iraq has the lead in ensuring the safety of the Iraqi populous throughout the election period,” said Lt. Col. Mark Ballesteros, a U.S. military spokesman. “U.S. forces will provide security assistance for the elections as requested by the and in accordance with the security agreement.”

During a press briefing last month, Gen. Ray Odierno, the U.S. commander in Iraq, said planning for the upcoming elections would be based on the model used during provincial elections in January, when U.S. troops played a limited role.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=66575