General Pittard oblivious to reality about Iraqi security forces
President Bush does not have many political allies left on Capitol Hill. High-level US generals are the few remaining voices out there willing to champion the White House talking points.
Today in a , Army Brig. Gen. Dana Pittard claimed that Iraqi security forces are rising to the occasion:
"The growth of the Iraqi security forces over the past couple of yearshas really been quite dramatic in many ways," he said by videoconference. Among improvements: Iraqi officials have recruited Sunnisto the national police command, a group that a year ago was almostentirely Shia. The national police have been known for their ties toShiite militia.
Oh really? If the Iraqi government and its security forces are growing dramatically, then why have a US troop escalation?
The notion that Dana Pittard is trying to sell about the Iraqi security forces just is not true, and it contradicts what said today:
The Iraqi military does not even have enough ammunition, said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek: "They're not quite up to the job yet."
Hiscounterpart south of Baghdad seemed to agree, saying U.S. troops aretoo few to garrison the districts newly rid of insurgents. "It can't becoalition (U.S.) forces. We have what we have. There's got to be moreIraqi security forces," said Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch.
You can easily tell which people are speaking on behalf of the Administration, and which are speaking on behalf of reality.
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