The job of training an Iraqi police force is one of the most important tasks being undertaken in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is also one of the most difficult.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
In the remaining months, we should focus on achieving more robust international involvement in training of Iraqi soldiers, police officers, judges, teachers, and doctors - all key elements needed to end the sectarian and civil conflict and build Iraq's future.
The training and equipping of Iraqi security forces should be accelerated.
Not every difficult and dangerous thing is suitable for training, but only that which is conducive to success in achieving the object of our effort.
Yes, we need a force to continue to train, assist, advise the Iraqi army.
That policy was abandoned very quickly, and the military police were tagged with the responsibility of conducting training, which they did. We were not equipped or set up with personnel to recruit new Iraqi guards.
We are ready to train new Iraqi forces outside Iraq. We did it in Abu Dhabi.
What our men and women in uniform are doing is providing for the Iraqi people and other surrounding nations the opportunity to see, to taste and to experience the democracy that equals freedom and ultimately justice.
To be able to live and train in Iraq under these circumstances you need to be brave.
Before they deploy, they train for the specific operations, but there is a danger that the Army is not retaining the core of its full capabilities.
We should be robustly assisting the Free Syrian Army with equipment and also with training.