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Monday, December 1, 2008

Iraq sees modern military, infrastructure by 2012 after agreement with U.S.

BAGHDAD — Iraq expects to complete the modernization of its military in an enhanced national environment by 2012.

Iraqi Chief of Staff Gen. Babakir Zebari said the Status of Forces Agreement with the United States would give Baghdad enough time to develop its military. Zebari said the Iraqi effort would be completed in 2011.

"The mandate of the U.S. military, extended to 2011 under the recently-adopted Status of Forces Agreement, is enough for us to rebuild the military," Zebari said.

On Nov. 27, the Iraqi parliament voted to approve SOFA, which called for the deployment of the U.S. military until 2012. The agreement stipulated that the military leave Iraqi cities and be confined to bases in July 2009.

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In a statement on Nov. 30, Zebari said the U.S.-led coalition, known as the Multinational Force, would ensure continued modernization of the Iraqi military. The Iraqi military has a force of about 220,000 soldiers, with another 380,000 assigned to the police and security forces.

"The military aims to build Iraq as a modern country with a strong economy and good infrastructure," the Iraqi chief of staff said.

The Iraq Air Force has ordered advanced air transports, such as the C-130J from the U.S. firm Lockheed Martin. The army has ordered M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks as well as armored personnel carriers.

"We will continue enhancing the capabilities of the army in coordination with the Multinational Force and the United States during the coming years," Zebari said. "The process of modernizing the army in terms of personnel and equipment is making remarkable progress as all partners offer sincere cooperation to the Iraqi government."

The chief of staff said Baghdad would launch another major counter-insurgency drive. He said the government has banned militias, including those sponsored by Iran.

"The Iraq Army and police forces will do their utmost to crush insurgents, " Zebari said. "Anyone who carries weapons against the army, the police, the government and or the citizens will face a harsh response. This is our bottom line."

Zebari said the Iraqi security forces were gaining strength. He said the forces would be capable of assuming security responsibility over the entire Iraq by 2009.

"The cases of law-breakers including the extremists, terrorists, fundamentalists, Baathists are quite easy for the military," Zebari said. "The army is expanding its control over the central and southern areas which had seen militant activities in the last period."

Officials said the U.S. military, in cooperation with the Defense Department, has accelerated deliveries of the Humvee combat vehicle to the Iraqi military and police. They said at least 3,000 Humvees have been transferred to Iraq.

"This partnership demonstrates the cooperation between the U.S. government and the government of Iraq to train and equip Iraqi security forces," U.S. Army Col. Michael Sage, assistant chief of staff at Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, said.

On Nov. 22, Iraqi and U.S. officials marked the transfer of the 3,000th armored Humvee to Baghdad. The program, which employs 522 Iraqis, began in March 2008.

"This milestone transfer is part of a program to produce mission-ready armored Humvees for issue to the Iraqi military and police forces and to provide on-the-job training to Iraqi mechanics," a U.S. military statement said on Nov. 29.

Officials said the two-year program has included refurbishment of Humvees for the Iraqi Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry and the Counter-Terrorism Bureau. They said the United States has been transferring about 400 Humvees every month to Iraq.

"The team is set to reach its target of 8,500 Humvees by the end of 2009," the military said.



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