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Iraq's Secret $833M Arms Buy Raises Concern

Posted Apr 13, 08 9:00 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – A secret arms deal highlights Baghdad's trouble arming its troops and securing Iraq, the New York Times reports. Officials signed the $833 million deal with Serbia last month, without approval in Baghdad—and procured faulty or useless planes, tanks, and other arms. Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qadir defended the move, saying, “American timelines for delivery were too far away.”

Qadir also scaled down the deal to $236 million after criticism from the US and Baghdad. But sources say the purchase was legal, and US advisers called it progress for Iraq's military—which has to break free of Washington. “We can be very overbearing as a nation," a US commander said.

Source New York Times

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Lt. Gen. James Dubik, left, and Brig. Gen. William Troy, right, are seen at Fort Lewis, Wash. in this April 30, 2007 file photo. Dubik heads the US's security advising mission in Iraq   (Associated Press)
A Lasta 95 aircraft is seen at the defense fair In Belgrade, in this June, 2007, file photo. Serbia has sealed a deal to sell US$235 million of aircraft, weapons and military equipment to Iraq.   (Associated Press)
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, right, speaks during a press conference next to Defense Minister Abdul Qadir, left, in this file photo.   (Associated Press)
Iraqi army soldier stands guard in Basra some 550 kilometers (about 340 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 1, 2008.   (Associated Press)
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Iraq • Nouri al-Maliki • military • Serbia • weapons • arms deal • Abdul Qadir


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