by Gabrielle Russon
A group of anti-war Democrats said Wednesday that U.S. dollars should no longer be used to finance the Iraqi security forces.
At a Washington press conference, the House members said the $19 billion already spent to train the Iraqi security forces has created an even bloodier civil war. American-financed weapons and training has led to sectarian violence, they said, and armed Iraqis could eventually pose a threat to U.S. forces.
Their words come amid jostling and jockeying by the parties in preparation for next week’s status report by Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq. Petraeus’ report is likely to be followed by a furious congressional debate over whether and when to begin a withdrawal of U.S. forces.
Wednesday’s press conference took particular aim at the Iraqi security forces, which some say are more loyal to their particular sects or specific militias than to the government of Iraq.
“Without a unifying central government to which a majority of Iraqis are loyal, we are merely training different factions of a violent power struggle,” said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). “We risk the danger that weapons provided to them will one day be turned against the United States and allies in the region.”
Waters has already introduced a bill to the House that would eliminate federal funding to train and equip groups such as the Iraqi militia and insurgent forces.
Others, such as Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), who called the conflict an “unjustifiable war,” demanded a set withdrawal date from Iraq.
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