WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush on Saturday hailed what he saw as a new milestone in US efforts to form a viable Iraqi security force, pointing out that for the first time since the beginning of the war, Iraqi troops and police now outnumber US forces in the country.
The statement came a day after the Pentagon announced that the number of "trained and equipped" members of the Iraqi security forces had now exceeded 155,000, while US troop strength went below 140,000 this week following the departure of more units from the country.
"Today, more than 150,000 Iraqi security forces have been trained and equipped, and for the first time, the Iraqi army, police, and security forces outnumber US forces in Iraq," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
He said that as Iraqis assume increasing responsibility for the stability of their own country, their security forces are becoming more self-reliant and taking on greater responsibilities in combating insurgents.
"Like free people everywhere, Iraqis want to be defended and led by their own countrymen," the president said. "We will help them achieve this objective, and then our troops will come home with the honor they have earned."
Forming a viable Iraqi security force capable of defending the country's government against attacks by insurgents is the central element of a US exit strategy after two years of war that has left at least 1,565 US servicemen dead.
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 today by US-led coalition forces.
But the Government Accountability Office said in a report made public last month that Iraqi security forces remain crippled by poor discipline, questionable loyalties and a rate of absenteeism possibly reaching tens of thousands.
The study expressed serious doubts about the quality of Iraqi recruits and charged that "US government data do not provide reliable information on the status of Iraqi military and police forces."
A senior US defense official acknowledged the capabilities of Iraqi police and other security forces "vary from unit to unit."
But the official pointed out that between 1,500 and 3,000 soldiers and police were joining the countrys forces weekly and "the trend is clearly positive."
Bush did not address the issue of the quality of Iraqi recruits that has been questioned by Democrats in Congress.
But he urged Congress to finish work on a more than 81-billion-dollar (62 billion euros) supplemental spending bill designed to fund US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This funding will help provide the weapons, ammunition, spare parts, and equipment that our troops need to do their job," the president said. "I urge Congress to come together to resolve their remaining differences, and send me a bill quickly."
Both the US Senate and House of Representatives have passed their own versions of the bill. But there was little disagreement on strictly military issues, both versions carry controversial immigration riders that could emerge as a serious hurdle in conference negotiations.
In addition, the Senate bill carries a provision blocking an administration plan to decommission one of the Pentagon's 12 aircraft carriers.
Without mentioning any of the specific disputes, Bush noted tersely that "sustaining America's prosperity requires restraining the spending appetite of the federal government."
04/23/2005 14:07 GMT