Some Iraqis Fear U.S. Pullout: Self-Sufficiency Still Eludes Domestic Security Forces

[xochi]

Source: Washington Post

By Mary Beth Sheridan and Ernesto Londoño
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, November 9, 2008; Page A01

BAGHDAD -- Lt. Col. Kadhem Jabar Kadhem, a veteran of Saddam Hussein's army, has the swagger of the top cop in the sprawling Dora market, one of Baghdad's most dangerous areas until U.S. soldiers ousted insurgents last year.

"Ever since we came here, we've controlled the security by ourselves," boasted the corpulent, mustachioed national police commander, surrounded by a dozen Iraqi officers in new gray-blue uniforms.

And yet, even as he spoke, a U.S. Army unit with a crane was lowering concrete barriers into place to protect his police station, at the market's edge. Kadhem looked startled when asked about the prospect of a U.S. withdrawal, which could pick up speed given President-elect Barack Obama's plan to remove most combat troops within 16 months of taking office.

"Personally, I need the American forces to stay," Kadhem said softly, fingering his string of orange worry beads and describing how U.S. forces helped with equipment and services. "The Iraqi government is still weak."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR2008110801029.html?hpid=topnews

[tkayj]

1. They just want us to stay

and keep spending OUR money there. If I had a rich uncle, I'd probably let him stay with me too!

Both the Iraqis and Haliburton are getting rich off of this war.

[Joe Chi Minh]

2. Except a very, very high percentage of the Iraqis want you out yesterday.

It smacks of Bush-Cheney propaganda to me.

[tkayj]

3. True

The higher-ups may want us to stay, but the $$ hasn't trickled down to the masses.
That sounds familiar somehow... :think:

[bdab1973]

7. The reality...

The poorer Iraqis on the street want us gone. The Iraqis I work with (those that are in the military) want us to stay, because they know they aren't prepared 100% to take on the security issues their country will face without us. Ask any one of the guys I work with what their greatest fear is, and they'll tell you it's Iran. They are worried that after we leave, they'll move in. That's coming from the guys who are both Sunni and Shia (both sects work in our counterpart's unit). It's not "propaganda", it's what I actually see as well being here.

[niceypoo]

6. Money spent there goes into Haliburton offshore accounts....

and bombs..

[YDogg]

4. no real winners there

[niceypoo]

5. Pull out the no work GOP 'contractors' and hire Iraqis to do the work