|
|
Article: Iraq says US behind in arms deliveries; Only a fraction of $2b order has been filled
- Article from:
- The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
- Article date:
- November 3, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 The Boston Globe. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
WASHINGTON - More than a year after the government of Iraq paid
more than $2 billion to the US government to purchase weapons and
equipment for their military and police force, most of the equipment
has yet to be delivered, slowing the ability of Iraqi units to take
greater responsibility for their country's security, according to
Iraqi officials.
In October 2006, Iraq obtained congressional approval to purchase
50,750 M16 rifles and 24 King Air reconnaissance aircraft, among
other items. But so far, just 7,000 of the rifles and none of the
aircraft have been delivered, according to a US Department of
Defense spokesman. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has said
that the US government ...