Cutting ties to Americans isn't easy for Iraqi troops

By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, June 9, 2005

BAGHDAD — Last week, Iraqi officers in this oil-rich desert found themselves running low on fuel.

A supply contract was caught in red tape at the Ministry of Defense, halting deliveries to the Iraqi battalion stationed at Forward Operating Base Independence, a combined U.S.-Iraq base. To keep their patrols on the streets of Amariyah, home to Haifa Street, the Iraqi officers began using their own money to buy fuel.

On Sunday, a U.S. captain stepped in and gave the Iraqis 2,400 gallons of fuel from his supplies.

The common-sense solution is frustrating to officers on both sides who want to see an Iraqi army that is less dependent on American money and military strength. That independence comes at a price, say the Iraqi officers who are struggling to keep their soldiers prepared for action.

Snip

U.S. officers are also frustrated, but reluctant to step in.

“We don’t want to come to their rescue,” said Capt. Augusto Villalaz, 35, of Lake Charles, La.

Villalaz and others fear that if the Americans continue to solve problems such as the fuel shortage, Iraqi government leaders will pay less attention to their army’s needs.

Semper Fi