Iraqi Official Casts Doubt on Goal

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Iraqi Official Casts Doubt on Goal

Friday July 20, 2007 8:16 PM

By ROBERT H. REID

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's national security adviser expressed doubt
Friday that Iraqi forces will be able to assume security control
of the whole country by the end of the year, a goal of Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government.

In April, al-Maliki said Iraqi soldiers and police would take
over security responsibility from U.S. and other international
forces in all 18 provinces by the end of 2007, allowing the
American-led coalition to shift into a support role and possibly
begin sending troops home.

“We had hopes and intentions to take over security in all
provinces and command of all army divisions before the end of
the year,” national security adviser Mouwaffak al-Rubaie told
The Associated Press. “But there are difficulties and challenges
that appeared along the way, in arming, equipping, recruiting
and training our armed forces.”

Al-Rubaie would not give a new deadline.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6794371,00.html

[Xipe Totec]

1. Reminded me of last Sunday's Doonesbury cartoon

[dipsydoodle]

2. Was it

offside ?