'Iraqi national police are weak but not in need of overhaul'
US commander denies that Iraq's national police is so corrupted by sectarian bias that it should be disbanded.
By Agencies |
WASHINGTON: The top US commander in Iraq has rejected the conclusion of an independent commission that Iraq's national police are so corrupted by sectarian bias that they should be disbanded.
General David Petraeus on Thursday acknowledged that some elements of the national police are riddled with problems, but he praised others elements for helping fight the insurgency.
Petraeus gave no indication that he intended to follow the recommendation of the commission headed by retired Marine General James Jones. Petraeus stressed that he saw a need for immediate corrective action, but he was not specific.
"That's an Iraqi decision, and it's actually a pretty important component in their security force structure," he said. "And there are some decent units in that structure."
He said, "I think we need to see - it's not the entire national police" force that has severe problems, noting that the Iraqi government has already replaced a large number of national police commanders.
"There really are key elements, certain elements, in the national police about which we have serious concerns and so we've got to focus on those and determine what is going to be the way forward with those elements. Are they going to fly straight or not? ... And if not, that's something we're going to have sit down with the prime minister and minister of interior and have a good discussion."
General David Petraeus on Thursday acknowledged that some elements of the national police are riddled with problems, but he praised others elements for helping fight the insurgency.
Petraeus gave no indication that he intended to follow the recommendation of the commission headed by retired Marine General James Jones. Petraeus stressed that he saw a need for immediate corrective action, but he was not specific.
"That's an Iraqi decision, and it's actually a pretty important component in their security force structure," he said. "And there are some decent units in that structure."
He said, "I think we need to see - it's not the entire national police" force that has severe problems, noting that the Iraqi government has already replaced a large number of national police commanders.
"There really are key elements, certain elements, in the national police about which we have serious concerns and so we've got to focus on those and determine what is going to be the way forward with those elements. Are they going to fly straight or not? ... And if not, that's something we're going to have sit down with the prime minister and minister of interior and have a good discussion."
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