Iraqi army soldiers, accompanied by their U.S. counterparts from Forward Operating Base Michael, recently visited a school in downtown Mahmudiyah, Iraq, to deliver school supplies in one of the poorest communities in the area.Companion story here.
The visit is an important part of the Iraqi army's community outreach efforts to positively influence and establish a mutual trust with the citizens they protect, officials said.
"The fine soldiers of the 4th Brigade know they must take good care of the people of this region," said Iraqi Brig. Gen. Mahdi, commander of 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. The mission is simple, Mahdi added: "to provide a good, safe environment for (the citizens of this region) and for the children, our future leaders, to study and grow up and do the right things."
Unfortunately, there is also some bad news to report... From the World Tribune:
Iraq has depleted its defense procurement budget due to widespread corruption, torpedoing plans to end the military's dependence on the United States.One can assume that these guys are going to be hunted down and prosecuted...but the damage is done. Now, what are we going to do about it? My guess is that we'll throw more money on the fire...we have no choice.
An official Iraqi audit said $1.27 billion allocated by the Defense Ministry for military procurement in 2005 was embezzled by officials and suppliers. In a report completed in May, the Board of Supreme Audit blamed the theft on U.S.-appointed senior Defense Ministry officials, including a former defense minister.
If this weren't bad enough, it also appears that terrorists have infilitrated the Iraqi Police force. This is CNN:
Iraq's national security adviser has raised sharp questions about the way British forces handled the rescue of two of its undercover troops in the southeastern city of Basra earlier this week and voiced concern about the infiltration of security forces by insurgents.No offense to the national security advisor, but it sounds like you all have bigger problems than whether or not multinational forces have violated your soverignty. This is a serious problem and it has popped up before. The only solution is better screening and better supervision.
Basra remains tense after a British armored vehicle escorted by a tank crashed into a detention center and later rescued two undercover troops apparently held by Shiite militia.
The dramatic operation Monday followed a day of rioting in the southern Iraqi city. Police and local officials said that was sparked when the two soldiers fired on an Iraqi police patrol.
Iraq's National Security Adviser, Dr Mouwafak al-Rubaie, said he did not know how far security forces had been undermined by insurgents.
"It is a serious violation of sovereignty if MNF has raided a police station," National security adviser Mowafak al-Rubaie told CNN in a phone interview, referring to the multinational forces.
