"LAST THROES"

Iraqi forces nowhere near being able to fight insurgency on their own, Senate told
Assessment suggests US occupation has a long future

Julian Borger in Washington and agencies in Baghdad
Friday July 22, 2005
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1534042,00.html

The Iraqi government's forces are nowhere near battle ready and only a small number are capable of fighting the insurgency on their own, according to a newly declassified Pentagon document.
The assessment, provided to the Senate by General Peter Pace, the newly appointed chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, paints a stark picture of Iraqi military readiness that contrasts with the Pentagon's upbeat official tone.
According to excerpts in US newspapers yesterday, Gen Pace said about half of Iraq's new police battalions were still being established and were not in a position to conduct operations. The other half of the police and two-thirds of the new Iraqi army battalions were only "partially capable" of carrying out counter-insurgency missions, and required US help.
"Only a small number of Iraqi security forces are taking on the insurgents and terrorists by themselves," Gen Pace wrote.