Iraqi exiles reporting for US military training
Iraqi exiles who want to help the American military kick Saddam Hussein out of power were reporting for training this week.
The first volunteers to serve with US forces have been told by the Pentagon to assemble over the next few days.
The move marks the start of the largest known US effort to train Saddam’s enemies since a law was passed in 1998 allocating €91m for training and equipping his opponents.
The trainees will be screened at marshalling centres before being flown to a US boot camp in Hungary and trained to serve as support staff. The actual training is expected to begin early next month.
Up to 3,000 Iraqis are expected to be trained to serve as translators, guides, military police, and liaisons between coalition combat forces and the Iraqi population.
Officials in Washington have ruled out earlier suggestions that some of the men might be used in combat positions.
