Iraq: November 6, 2003

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Despite problems getting peacekeepers from Moslem nations (the Turks are not coming because the Iraqi Kurds object), there has been more success forming Iraqi police and security units. Currently, some 70,000 Iraqis are in training for police and security jobs. Forming Iraqi investigative and intelligence units is more difficult, because anyone with the required skills worked for Saddams security network, and probably have a lot of blood on their hands. Hiring any of these people might improve the intelligence situation, but would also likely generate a firestorm of negative publicity in the media. But apparently individual Iraqis with "intelligence experience" are being hired informally to assist in searches for Baath Party and Sunni Arab resistance organizations.