Iraqi forces crippled by poor discipline (GAO Finding)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.manoramaonline.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=manorama/MmArticle/CommonFullStory&c=MmArticle&channel=News&cid=1110887464432&colid=1002258272837&count=10&p=1002366458817&WebLogicSession=QjbyX0MrOkCE8UHQhmUDsHRRCtPSB31iddJVtolV91LhRkJ1RVGn|84

Washington: Iraqi security forces, whose buildup is seen as the linchpin of the US exit strategy, remain crippled by poor discipline, questionable loyalties and a rate of absenteeism possibly reaching into tens of thousands, US congressional investigators said. But a senior military official downplayed the importance of the findings by the Government Accountability Office, saying that high numbers of Iraqi police officers absent without leave was "a cultural thing."

US plans call for training and equipping 271,000 members of the Iraqi military and police by the middle of next year, enabling them to take over many of the combat duties performed by US-led coalition forces today. Rear Admiral William Sullivan, vice-director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a House sub-committee the Pentagon was more than halfway to this goal, with about 142,000 Iraqis listed as trained and equipped for battle.

[Dhalgren]

1. If it is a "cultural thing" then that means

Saddam had the same problem with his security forces. So why was it, again, that the Iraqis didn't just overthrow him, themselves? And, again, if it is a "cultural thing", how come the insurgents don't seem to be plagued by the same problem?

[Tempest]

2. It's a GAO report

So according to the Pentagon, it doesn't count and should be ignored.

[underpants]

3. Considering their outstanding record in recent wars that is surprising

"threat"