Equipment shortages plague new Iraqi security forces

[dArKeR]

AP , WASHINGTON
Friday, Jul 23, 2004,Page 7

Iraqi national guardsmen and US troops withdraw after conducting a raid in central Baghdad yesterday in which dozens of people were arrested in a massive sweep of suspected criminals and insurgents.
PHOTO: REUTERS
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/photo/2004/07/23/2003139939

Just under two-thirds of the new Iraqi police and security troops have completed some form of training, although many of them lack weapons, vehicles and other equipment necessary to do their job, Pentagon figures show.

In addition, about half of the troops in the country's reconstituted military are trained, but many of those units also face equipment shortages, the Pentagon says.

The Pentagon projects that both the security services and military will be fully trained and equipped by next spring, with certain units being fully capable sooner, according to the figures, which were posted on a Pentagon public relations Web site.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/07/23/2003180080