"A key part of our strategy in Iraq is to place more responsibility for security on the Iraqi police force and the new Iraqi army," said Senator Collins. "A recent New York Times article about an attack on coalition forces in Fallujah revealed that Iraqi forces had insufficient weapons, communications equipment, and ammunition and that some captured members of the insurgent group were members of the Iraqi civil defense forces. It is essential to the success of our mission in Iraq and the safety of our own troops that we do a better job preparing and supporting the new Iraqi police and military and that we screen out individuals who are trying to derail efforts to create a free and democratic society."
General Abizaid agreed with Senator Collins that the key to success in Iraq is getting Iraqis to be in charge of their own security and their own government. He admitted that the coalition is experiencing some difficulty establishing a reliable Iraqi security force in areas where there is the most insurgent resistance.
"Those forces there are not adequately trained or equipped and we have to speed the equipment to them and enhance their training. We will do this by doing more mentoring with U.S. forces working directly with Iraqi units, especially Iraqi civil defense corps units," said General Abizaid. "But I also ask you to remember that in May we started out at zero and now we're up to 200,000."
Abizaid said the American military has doubled the number of Special Forces in the country to help train Iraqi battalions. He said that military officials with the help of local allies do their best to vet candidates for the Iraqi military and police force.
He added, "In every instance, the number of people that are coming forward to serve in the New Iraqi security services and a number of people who are currently serving are overwhelmingly supportive, positive, and determined to make the new Iraq succeed."