By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iraqi Vice President Ghazi al-Yawer said on Monday that the effort to train Iraqi security forces has suffered a big "setback" in the last six months, with the army and other forces being increasingly used to settle scores and make other political gains.
Al-Yawer, in an interview at a conference here, directly disputed contentions by US officials, including US President George W. Bush, that the training of a professional Iraqi army and other security forces was gathering speed, resulting in more trained and professional forces.
Bush has said the United States will not pull out of Iraq until Iraq's own forces can maintain security. In a speech last week, Bush contended that Iraqi forces are increasingly capable and able to secure the country.