Iraqi President Jalal Talbani received US CENTCOM Commander General John Abizaid early this week. A source close to the Iraqi Presidency says Abizaid discussed with Talbani plans to support the Iraqi Army as well as the Ministries of Defence and Interior. According to this source, General Abizaid said both ministries do not cooperate well with the US forces, in particular in southern Iraq. Meanwhile, both SCIRI and Da’wa Party are complaining that Washington does not help the Ministries of Interior and Defence meet their needs. They are even threatening the US embassy in Baghdad to turn to Russia, Italy, Spain and Ukraine to get these needs.
Iraq Information Report - March 8, 2006 - 7th Year, No 7/774