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Iraqi General 'Completely Committed' to Reforming Military
American Forces Press Service ^ | Jim Garamone

Posted on 05/26/2006 7:54:34 PM PDT by SandRat

RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq, May 26, 2006 – The man chosen to lead the Iraqi military's Center for Military Values, Principles and Leadership said he is "completely committed" to reforming the Iraqi armed forces.

"We have witnessed five decades of hardships, and the Iraqi personality in general has changed enormously because of them," retired Army Maj. Gen. Nabil Abdul Kadir said.

The general has 46 years of service in the Iraqi army. He has commanded at all levels from platoon through division, he said, and has maintained strict professional behavior in a time of turmoil and repression.

The general came from a military family, and said he used to accompany his father on visits to posts and bases. "Although I was a little child, (what) I will never forget is the type of relationships among officers, between officers and (noncommissioned officers), and between officers and their soldiers," he said. "It was built on respect and the appreciation of human beings."

Officers cared for their men and put their needs first, he said. Soldiers understood that their officers were concerned about them and would give them the help they needed to succeed.

"That attitude has changed since the revolution of 1958," he said. The attitude became one of fear and entitlement. Political cronies - rather than professional leaders - took the jobs in the Army. "I want to see (the old attitude of respect) restored back to our army," he said.

Nabil said he would like to bring back the core values of the Iraqi military. If all goes well, the center will have a lot to do with that restoration.

The Iraqi military - working with coalition representatives - will develop the core values of the Iraqi military and then write doctrine and design training to reinforce those values.

It cannot happen too soon, Nabil said. "I was gravely concerned to see the behavior of some of the (Iraqi) soldiers in the streets," he said. "It doesn't go along with our beliefs; it doesn't go with our culture. (The soldiers) are so rude, so ruthless, and it is not acceptable. It is widening the gap between military and civilians. I want to see that gap closed, completely."

The general, 64, said he will do all he can to repair the damage the dictatorship made in the military. As a professional military officer, he said, he felt betrayed by what happened to the army.

"This is my country. This is my army. My father served in the army, as did two brothers - one of whom was killed. We simply are an army family and I am completely committed to the reform of the institution," he said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: committed; general; iraq; iraqi; military; oif; reforming

1 posted on 05/26/2006 7:54:38 PM PDT by SandRat
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To: 91B; HiJinx; Spiff; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; clintonh8r; TEXOKIE; windchime; Grampa Dave; ...

Changing Iraq's Military


2 posted on 05/26/2006 7:55:05 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat
And only a moron ( or MSM reporter ) would think that it's going to be an easy road. There are going to be many setbacks with the main one being purging fifth column elements from their forces.

There is no magic wand in this rebuilding effort. I think it will succeed, just not overnight. I wish all good Iraqis who care about their country luck in securing their future.
3 posted on 05/26/2006 8:01:03 PM PDT by Hillarys Gate Cult (The man who said "there's no such thing as a stupid question" has never talked to Helen Thomas.)
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To: Hillarys Gate Cult
only a moron ( or MSM reporter )

There you go being redundant.

4 posted on 05/26/2006 8:02:45 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat

Such men are honorable. I sense the future Iraqi army is going to be onethat serves it's people under a democratic unified government. All the core values now being instilled in them are going to save them from going back into hell.


5 posted on 05/26/2006 8:06:40 PM PDT by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
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To: SandRat

Sounds like Cheney.

I'm sure there are already calls for him to resign.


6 posted on 05/26/2006 8:37:15 PM PDT by rwilson99 (Too soon... to forget. See United 93)
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To: SandRat
But usually a moron believes what they're shoveling. The MSM just fabricates wishful thinking as fact but knows they're wrong.
7 posted on 05/26/2006 9:12:52 PM PDT by Hillarys Gate Cult (The man who said "there's no such thing as a stupid question" has never talked to Helen Thomas.)
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To: Hillarys Gate Cult

Oh yeah!!!! Like a 5-year old!


8 posted on 05/26/2006 9:19:43 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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