Iraq: US troop increase would help secure country

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Baghdad's ambassador to Washington said that President George W. Bush's plan to increase US troop levels in Iraq would give his country time to reform its own security forces. Ambassador Samir Sumaidaie, speaking on CNN on Sunday, warned of the consequences of a US withdrawal of troops. "I think that would create a vacuum, and the only people who would benefit from the vacuum is the terrorists, the criminals and those of our regional powers next to Iraq who want to make use of this opportunity," Sumaidaie said. The Iraqi government was working to reform its own security forces and with US support could achieve greater independence within months, he said.