For his part, Al Mufriji said the Iraqi military would be prepared in
2008 to replace the U.S.-led coalition. He said the two sides have exchanged
maps for the
withdrawal of U.S. and other forces in Iraq.
"And this may require developing our capabilities in arms in order to be
able to replace the Multinational Forces — at the forefront of which is the
American army," Al Mufriji said on Jan. 10. "And this is what we were
working on with the American government through the FMS organization."
Iraq has ordered about $2 billion in weapons and platforms from the
United States. Iraqi officials have complained of significant delays in
processing and production.
Al Mufriji, who met U.S. military commanders, said most of the more than
10 Iraq Army divisions reached Level 2, or the ability to conduct
independent operations with some assistance from the coalition. He said the
army, however, remains weak in logistics and administrative support.
Iraq, amid a decrease in insurgency aid from Iran and Syria, has
reported achieving security in at least 14 of the nation's 18 provinces.
Officials said Diyala, Kirkuk, Nineveh and Salah Eddin, remain rife with
violence.
"We are working to develop our capabilities to control these
governorates," Al Mufriji said. "And my own personal conviction is that in
2008, we will be able to achieve security in it."
At the same time, Al Mufriji envisioned a long-term Iraqi dependence on
the United States. He said Iraq would not be capable of countering an
external threat until at least 2018.
"According to our calculations and our timelines, we think that from the
first quarter of 2009 until 2012 we will be able to take full control of the
internal affairs of the country," Al Mufriji told the New York Times on
Tuesday. "In regard to the borders, regarding protection from any external
threats, our calculation appears that we are not going to be able to answer
to any external threats until 2018 to 2020."
