Modalities Of Training Iraqi Forces To Be Known Within One And A Half Months

ISTANBUL - The modalities of training Iraqi security forces are expected to become clear within one and a half months, sources said on Tuesday.
Sources said that NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer would draft a report on what the Alliance could do to restructure Iraqi defense institutions. NATO military authorities would then make their recommendations to NATO Council.
The Council would make the final decision, the sources said, stating that the result was expected to become certain within one and a half months.
Beforehand NATO will have consultations with the Iraqi authorities to learn about what are the needs of this country.
Sources said that Iraqi security forces might be trained either in or outside of this country.
Noting that Turkey had not yet taken any decision about the matter, sources said that Turkey, as a NATO member, would normally contribute to training of the Iraqi security forces. However Ankara's approach towards training Iraqi police force in Iraq isn't positive, it was indicated.
Germany, Poland, Britain and Canada are currently training security forces in Iraq.
Sources said that NATO envisages to train Iraqi forces and this training could be carried out under the umbrella of NATO. -NEW PARTNERSHIP MECHANISM- On the other hand diplomatic sources considered decisions taken during NATO Istanbul Summit ''an important turning point in NATO's transformation process.''
The new partnership mechanism established by Gulf countries ''created defense and security dimension of the Greater Middle East Initiative,'' sources pointed out.
The same sources stated that regional countries' approach, including Saudi Arabia, was positive towards the mechanism, according to preliminary consultations with the Gulf countries. Under the new cooperation, officers of countries member to the new mechanism will be trained in NATO headquarters.
The mechanism named as ''Istanbul Cooperation Initiative'' will work according to 26+1 system.
Resolution of Palestinian-Israeli dispute would largely contribute to the process, sources said. -ISAF-
Turkey is expected to take over International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) command one more time in February 2005, it was also announced.
Sources said that there were nine army corps allocated by NATO member countries to the Alliance, and noted that one of those army corps was the third army corps of Turkey based in Istanbul.
The same sources said that Turkey was expected to take over ISAF command from Eurocore, adding that Italy would be the next country assuming the command after Turkey.
Sources added that how many troops Turkey would send to Afghanistan to ensure security was not clear yet. Turkey currently has 160 troops in this country.
(BRC-ULG) 29.06.2004