Where is the "Mainstream" Media Coverage?
Do we really need COMEDY to learn the truth???
Numbers Racket
Billmon
October 9, 2005
Today there are more than 80 Iraqi army battalions fighting the insurgency
alongside our forces.
George W. Bush Speech to National Endowment for Democracy October 6, 2005
I'm encouraged by the increasing size and capability of the Iraqi security forces. Today they have more than
100 battalions operating throughout the country.
George W. Bush Radio Address October 1, 2005
Until a couple of weeks ago, [Gen. David] Petraeus was in charge of the U.S. effort to train and equip Iraqi forces.
In perhaps the most detailed public account so far of the state of Iraq's forces he said 115 army combat and special police
battalions were rated as being "in the fight."
United Press International Analysis: Training Iraqi army a slow process October 6, 2005
We have more than a hundred Iraqi army and special police battalions participating with us in conducting
counterinsurgency operations.
Gen George Casey Testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee September 29, 2005
I think we have 86 Iraqi army battalions today that are operating with us.
Gen. Richard Myers Testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee September 29, 2005
The 115 Iraqi army and special police battalions already declared battle ready . . . are still well short
of the 185,000 troops a Pentagon spokesman recently cited for total Iraqi security forces.
Inside the Pentagon Officers Worry Iraqi Army Will Disintegrate After U.S. Draws Down September 15, 2005
________________________
Public statements by Bush Administration officials about the number of ISF personnel grew unrealistic a short
time after the invasion, and soon skyrocketed out of control. By June 2004 . . . the Administration was claiming that over
200,000 ISF troops had been trained. This estimate . . . turned out to be the total number of people on the ISF payrolls,
including administrative staff, deserters, and countless others unfit to fight. It also included over 70,000 Facilities Protection
Service officers, which have been described as being similar to night watchmen, who had received only one week of training.
The Administration was forced to revise its estimate downward to 95,000 within three months, a number which Pentagon documents
later proved still to be an overly optimistic assessment.
Senate Democratic Policy Committee Has the Bush Administration Leveled With the American People About the Readiness of Iraqi Security Forces? September 12, 2005
________________________
GEN. CASEY: We fully recognize that Iraqi armed forces will not have an independent capability for some time,
because they don't have the institutional base to support them. And so Level 1, as you'll recall from the slide, that's what's
got one battalion. And it's going to be a long time before . . .
SEN. MCCAIN: Used to be three. Now we've gone from three to one?
GEN. CASEY: Pardon me?
SEN. MCCAIN: It was three before.
GEN. CASEY: Right.
SEN. MCCAIN: The previous report was you had three battalions. Now we're down to one battalion.
GEN. CASEY: Right, and things change in the battalions. I mean, we're making assessments on personnel, on leadership, on
training.
SEN. MCCAIN: And you . . .
GEN. CASEY: I mean, there are a lot of variables that are involved here, Senator.
Article nr. 16613 sent on 11-oct-2005 01:27 ECT
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