Iraq envoy slams US over arms supplies

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Iraq's ambassador to the United States Wednesday launched a withering attack on US reluctance to provide basic weaponry to his country's ill-equipped armed forces.

Samir Sumaidaie said administration foot-dragging was inexplicable given President George W. Bush's oft-stated desire for Iraqi forces to "stand up" and so allow US troops to withdraw from the frontlines.

Rejecting suggestions that the Pentagon is reluctant to allow high-tech US weaponry to fall into Iraqi hands, the ambassador told reporters "we're not talking about nuclear submarines" but basic arms like automatic rifles.

Despite being willing to pay out of its own funds, the Iraqi government has been "waiting and waiting and waiting" for Washington to come forward and has had to turn to other suppliers, such as China, for guns.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070725/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqmilitary_070725193346

Or Americans. Or each other if they're not from the right side of the mosque.