Posted on 09/07/2006 5:50:11 AM PDT by rightgrafix
The US-led coalition in Iraq has formally handed control of the country's armed forces to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
He signed an accord with the US military at a delayed ceremony in the capital, Baghdad.
The first units to be transferred are Iraq's small navy and air force, and the 8th Army Division, based in Najaf.
But correspondents say it is unclear how fast the complete transfer of security control can be achieved.
The handover ceremony is five days later than scheduled, although the delay has not been explained.
US-led forces disbanded what was left of the Iraqi army after they overthrew Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003.
Since then, the coalition has been training and equipping new Iraqi forces with a view to their taking over security and allowing the eventual withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.
Another goal reached- the Iraqis defending themselves. Progress.
I'm not sure "FINALLY" is the word I'd use. I think it's quite impressive what's been accomplished in just 3 1/2 years time.
"...although the delay has not been explained." BS - It was fully explained. The Iraqi government had some technical questions. The Iraqi government wanted to wait until those technical questions were answered to their satisfaction. .................. This BBC reporter is either incompetent or a liar.......or both!
"Finally" as in we have been hearing this for days. No disrespect to our troops. 8^)
Libs on local talk radio this morning were saying that just a couple of weeks ago the stated time table for this was 12-18 months from now and that Bush pushed it up for the Nov. Elections.
Was there talk of 12-18 months a couple of weeks ago, and if so, could that have been diversionary?
"The handover ceremony is five days later than scheduled, although the delay has not been explained."
The BBC would gladly tell the world the time and exact location of said ceremony. Terrorist sympathizers.
Oh, my misunderstanding then rightgrafix. Thanks for the clarification.
I didn't hear a fixed timetable for handing control of Iraq's army to the Iraq government. I heard something about a year to year and a half time period, but it seems like it had to do with Iraq forces being able to function substantially on their own without our logistical, technical and other support. Don't quote me, but I think that's what I heard. And if you think about it, it makes a lot more sense than to believe it would take THAT long just to turn over command and control to the Iraq government.
not good news from Iraq surely...from the BBC to boot.
Quagmire?
The Dems will find fault with this.
The BBC just added new sentences into the article.
"A BBC correspondent in Baghdad says the transfer of control could be long, slow and fraught with problems."
"In the latest violence, a suicide car bomber killed 10 people at a police control centre in Baghdad."
"Seven others died in bombings and shootings elsewhere in the Iraqi capital, mainly targeting police and security patrols."
I guess the story sounded to good.
Quagmire! (off schumer mode)
The article was written with pain and travail.
I bet!
YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Yet ANOTHER victory in the incredibly fast progression of events to create an independent, thriving democracy in the heart of the Middle East.
History will look at this in awe.....
I suppose this story was too big for the media to sweep under the rug. After all, they didn't want to be "scooped."
Progress like this is happening in Iraq all the time and has never stopped. The media just doesn't want people to know about it.
Well done, Iraq.
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