Iraq admits split in army

Web posted at: 1/10/2007 3:3:8Source ::: REUTERS

BAGHDAD • Iraqi authorities admitted yesterday to divided loyalties within their security forces, which are widely believed to be infiltrated by Shi’ite militias embroiled in the country’s sectarian killings.

“I cannot deny a problem with Iraq’s security forces. I cannot guarantee their complete loyalty to the government. There are some corrupt groups in their ranks,” said Ali Al Dabbagh, spokesman for Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki.

“But we are taking measures against these groups. More than 6,000 people have been dismissed from the interior ministry,” he said.

“We are also trying to educate them. We’re explaining they must forget past allegiances. ‘You are getting your salary from the government. That’s who you owe your allegiance to’,” the spokesman said.

“The government makes no distinction between Shi’ites and Sunnis,” Dabbagh insisted. “Any individual who breaks the law will be prosecuted, whatever his religion or community.”

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