Posted on 11/18/2003 11:05:57 AM PST by kattracks
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. troops are preparing to hand over security powers to Iraqi police in one of the country's most anti-American towns in a move that could be a test case for a transition of power. American soldiers have faced near daily attacks from guerrillas in the town of Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, ranging from mortar bombs to rocket-propelled grenades as Iraqi police have returned to the volatile streets."I believe our joint operations with the police in Ramadi between now and around the first of January will allow us to move to a second stage in regards to security for Ramadi," Major General Charles Swannack told a news conference.
"That is where American forces step back. (Then) pull some joint patrols with the Iraqi police but allow the police to go ahead and do the major functions," he said.
The police are struggling to gain the respect of Iraqis because they are tainted by a reputation for corruption under Saddam Hussein, toppled by a U.S.-led invasion in April.
Despite a staggered handover, Swannack said American troops would not fully withdraw from the town and would be available to intervene in the case of an emergency.
"Should something get out of hand we will be in radio communication and we will be able to go ahead and assist them. They are taking the lead and we are taking the backup," he said.
"Ramadi is getting very close to having the conditions to go ahead and conduct this kind of transition around the first of January," he added.
RISKY WITHDRAWAL
The town is in the so-called Sunni triangle, which lies west and north of Baghdad and which used to be Saddam's stronghold. For that reason alone the planned American withdrawal is risky.
Underscoring the American effort to gain intelligence from Iraqis on guerrillas attacking U.S. troops every day, Swannack said he would try to recruit former Iraqi army officers who surrendered in the war to join the country's new army.
"I am meeting Thursday with former officers of the 12th brigade that was headquartered out in Ramadi. It's the brigade that capitulated during the war to the 3rd Infantry," he said.
"Here is a prime example of having officers that we can utilize in the new Iraqi army and soldiers that are trained. That is what our program is." Guerrillas have killed 177 U.S. soldiers since President Bush declared major combat over on May 1. Suicide bombings have also killed scores of Westerners and Iraqis.
Swannack said 90 percent of the attacks were carried out by remnants of Saddam's Baath party and Iraqi followers of Saudi Arabia's strict Wahhabi Islamic movement.
Foreign fighters were behind others, he said, adding that 13 had been apprehended and seven killed in the past two months.
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