Iraq: Own Troops Have 'A Long Way to Go' (internal Iraqi report)

http://abcnews.go.com/International/IraqCoverage/wireStory?id=1367084

Iraq: Own Troops Have 'A Long Way to Go'
The Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq Dec 2, 2005 — Iraq's security forces have "a long way to go" to deal with the bloody insurgency and violent crime, the government said in a report obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

The report concludes that Iraq's army praised just this week by President Bush needs more men, better leaders, new equipment and improved training to confront the insurgents without U.S. support.

The 59-page report, compiled by Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's office, reviewed the government's performance since taking office seven months ago. It was prepared for the administration that will take over after elections Dec. 15.

...

"The number of insurgent attacks has continued to rise and they are becoming more indiscriminate, resulting in large numbers of civilian casualties," the report said. "While violent crime, including murder and kidnapping, has fallen, it remains at a high level." It gave no statistics.