Hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, Subject: Independent Assessment of Iraqi Security Forces

HEARING OF THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF IRAQI SECURITY FORCES

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REP. JOE WILSON (R-SC): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I'd like to thank all of you and each person who participated on the commission. In looking at the report and hearing the comments that you're making I need to tell you that this is so refreshing. Instead of recrimination and pointing back and saying why things weren't done or accusations or put-downs of anyone, the report truly does reflect where we are, and then I greatly appreciate the suggestions on how to improve, whether it be in recruiting, reorganization, reform, logistics. It really is a very, very helpful report and we all need this and the American people need this, and so you've really made a great contribution.

In my visits to Iraq -- I've been there seven times -- I visited in particular from the beginning with the efforts to see the training of the police and so it's a real disappointment to me and I was always concerned on whether they were vetted initially as to their association with the prior regime, and then of course as things transpired with the circumstance of the infiltration by sectarian militias. In the media -- I reflect the view of Congressman McHugh -- I had really not anticipated what I'm hearing now -- but the media headlines that I heard indicated that the police should be just disbanded and start over again. Is there some way that they can be reformed, and this could be to Chief Ramsey -- whoever.

CHIEF RAMSEY: Yes, sir, Congressman, and thank you for that question because there's a lot of misinformation from some of the media reports that I've read as well. We're not proposing to disband all police. Again, the Iraqi police service is comprised of 230,000 individuals. That comment was made as it relates to the national police, which is 25,000 members, and what we're proposing is that their mission be redefined.

We believe that there are functions that are police-related functions that are necessary that may not be able to be supported at the provincial level such as bomb squads, SWAT teams, river patrol, air support, teams that can operate in a hazardous environment. Taking a portion of that 25,000 -- roughly about 6,000, perhaps a few more -- and having them focus on those areas that are greatly needed. Urban search and rescue is another area that we included in that. The remainder of that are vetted obviously. Some would be sent over to the military -- some to the Iraqi police service.

So we're not saying just disband and let them go wherever they go, but there is a need to redefine the mission because as it stands right now they lack the kind of credibility and support and trust, if you will, across Iraq to be an effective force, and we think that even though there is a training effort going on now -- a four-week course that focuses a lot on the rule of law and democratic policing and things like that -- so much has happened it's just difficult to overcome. A four-week course is not going to change the basic culture and history that they're trying to overcome.

So our feeling is that you simply redefine their mission which has never really been clear. You know, if you look at the national police it's not clear whether or not they're, you know, a light infantry force or are they a police force. So that needs to be addressed, and that's really what we're looking at when we're talking about that particular issue.

REP. WILSON: And Chief, when I was there I was very impressed by the instructors from 20 different countries that were helping promote community policing -- something that you do and you're a professional at -- and so I hope that -- and I'm glad to hear that there's hope. Additionally, the equipment -- I notice the referencing, and this is always concerned me -- that we have persons who are not as well equipped as the enemy, and so I really appreciate the very constructive comments. Thank you all for what you've done for our country. I yield the balance of my time.

CHIEF RAMSEY: One thing to add real quickly, Congressman, and that is the fact that the trainers -- we have a very, very committed group of trainers. It's just -- there just aren't enough of them, and they need to be increased in size so that they can cover the entire country and provide the kind of support and training that's needed.

REP. WILSON: Thank you very much.

REP. SKELTON: Thank you, Mr. Wilson.

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