iraqi troop readiness -- how many different versions of this story?

So here's what Chimpy said today:
"At this time last year there were only a handful of Iraqi battalions ready for combat," Bush said. "Now there are over 120 Iraqi army and police combat battalions in the fight against the terrorists, typically comprised of between 350 and 800 Iraqi forces.

"Of these, about 80 Iraqi battalions are fighting side-by-side with coalition forces, and about 40 others are taking the lead in the fight."


Here's a report of what General Casey said 60 days ago:
The number of Iraqi battalions capable of combat without U.S. support has dropped from three to one, the top American commander in Iraq told Congress Thursday, prompting Republicans to question whether U.S. troops will be able to withdraw next year. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-09-29-iraqtestimony_x.htm

And here's what was said a year ago by pentagon official: So much progress is being made in training and equipping Iraqi security forces that U.S. commanders believe that the majority of the country will be under local control by the end of this year <2004>, a senior Pentagon official said yesterday. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36911-2004Sep20.html

Is it any wonder that the GAO had this to say earlier this year about estimates of Iraqi readiness:"Data on the status of Iraqi security forces is unreliable and provides limited information on their capabilities," GAO senior investigator for international affairs Joseph Christoff said. "Without reliable information, Congress may find it difficult to judge how federal funds are achieving the goal of transferring security responsibilities to the Iraqis." http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/05/front2453447.5055555557.html

How much bullshit can bushco produce?

onenote

then disregards what they say and makes shit up.

120 battalions x 350 forces = 42000
and
120 battalions x 800 forces = 96000

lets put it in the middle and say its 65,000 soldiers and police.

thats a damn far cry from the 250,000 or so that they keep trying to say are ready.
i would also bet you its closer to the low side or they would be crowing it loud and proud.

They said they had 1. 3 that were not up to 'specifications' for comabt readiness.

1.

I haven't had time to look for a link....