Army Chief Urges Iraq to Join NATO

Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Gen. Babaker Zibari called for joining NATO to spare Iraq building a big and costly army.

"In my personal evaluation such a choice will spare Iraq big problems, mainly protecting its wealth which will be largely wasted on building a big army, and protecting the country from foreign aggression," Zibari said.

Zibari, a Kurd, said the Iraqi army largely depends at present on the support of multinational forces and that "the United States allows the creation of a strong Iraqi army, but within a defined understanding of the role of that army in the future."

He said the army is currently composed of 10 brigades and 30 regiments and its number is expected to increase to 160,000 by the end of this year.

http://www.aina.org/news/20060216113613.htm

Uhh I forgot--- the US Taxpayer !!!

NORTH ATLANTIC Treaty Organization.

Hell, for Vietnam, we at least had the fucking sense to come up with a Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO). These douchebags are comically inept.

Or the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). While the US was NOT a member, the US was the driving force behind it. CENTO did not last long, Baghdad left in 1959 as the Baa-th party took over Iraq.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2801487.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghdad_Pact
http://i-cias.com/e.o/baghdad_pact.htm
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1955Soviet-baghdad1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Iraq#The_Republic

Inspired by Gamāl `Abd an-Nāsir, officers from the Nineteenth Brigade known as "Free Officers", under the leadership of Brigadier `Abd al-Karīm Qāsim (known as "az-Za`īm", 'the leader') and Colonel `Abd as-Salām `Arif overthrew the Hāshimite monarchy on 14 July 1958. King Faysāl II and `Abd al-Ilāh were executed in the gardens of ar-Rihāb Palace. Their bodies (and those of many others in the royal family) were displayed in public. Nūrī as-Sa`īd evaded capture for one day, but after attempting to escape disguised as a veiled woman, he was caught and shot.

The new government proclaimed Iraq to be a republic and rejected the idea of a union with Jordan. Iraq's activity in the Baghdād Pact ceased....

Qāsim was assassinated in February 1963, when the Ba`th Party took power under the leadership of General Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr (prime minister) and Colonel `Abd as-Salām `Arif (president). Nine months later `Abd as-Salam Muhammad `Arif led a successful coup against the Ba`th government. On 13 April 1966, President `Abd as-Salām `Arif died in a helicopter crash and was succeeded by his brother, General `Abd ar-Rahman `Arif. Following the Six Day War of 1967, the Ba`th Party felt strong enough to retake power (17 July 1968). Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr became president and chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC)......

In July 1979, Bakr resigned, and his chosen successor, Saddām Husayn, assumed the offices of both President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council. He was the de facto ruler of Iraq for some years before he formally came to power......

if the impossible happens and iraq becomes a member, then if "something" happens, it's required by the NATO charter that member nations have to come it's aid.

This is a terrifying development. This is one more thing that shows the world that the U.S. is never, NEVER, leaving Iraq.

Be prepared for an "attack" by Iran upon a NATO, AKA Iraq, country.

I hate these people.

It doesn't appear the US is proposing this. Besides, I thought Iraq and Iran signed a military pact - they are allies now.

white is black and black is white and there are no shades of gray.

That's what scares me.