Out with the New, in with the Old

The Corinthian

Sure, they were all right - they were only following Saddam's orders... :rolleyes:

Many newly-trained Iraqi police and army personnel refused to fight Shia and Sunni rebels in the recent unrest, the head of US Central Command says.
Gen John Abizaid said this was a "great disappointment" - and announced the coalition would draw top officers from the disbanded army of Saddam Hussein.

The creation of a new Iraqi army that can follow orders is seen as key to America's withdrawal plans from Iraq.

The US had barred officers from Saddam Hussein's era serving in the military.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3621369.stm

Zaphod B

Well why not? Best man for the job as they say. And who better for keeping order than savage oppressors? American-backed regimes enforced by unpleasant people... it's good to see things getting back to normal :rolleyes:

Victor

Many newly-trained Iraqi police and army personnel refused to fight Shia and Sunni rebels in the recent unrest, the head of US Central Command says.

What did they expect, few ordinary* soldiers / policemen will side against their own people in combat, e.g. Romanian Revolution.**

* As opposed to Special Police, etc.
** They need Sunni police in Shia areas - and vice versa - to do that.

chewy

you sustain army through regime change without keeping ther former commders?

Zaphod B

Rite... so you reckon they were just following orders then?...