Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Media: AFP
Byline:Sabah Jerges
Date: 09 October 2006
BAGHDAD, Oct 9, 2006 (AFP) - Iraqi police modelled new-look uniforms Monday
in a bid to stay a step ahead of the death squads they claim are
masquerading as officers to carry out sectarian and political murders.
Policemen kitted out in the new blue, black and grey design -- in a digital
camouflage pattern similar to US models -- paraded for Iraqi Interior
Minister Jawad al-Bolani at a ceremony in a police compound in Baghdad.
"We are all proud today that the national police force is wearing new
uniforms to encounter all circumstances," Bolani said. "These new garments
will not be counterfeited," he promised.
Baghdad and the surrounding region are in the grip of a ferocious sectarian
conflict between rival Sunni and Shiite factions. Dozens of people are
killed every day, many of them by gangs in police uniforms and vehicles.
Last week and entire 800-strong police brigade was taken off the streets of
the city and sent for retraining after allegations it had collaborated with
Shiite militias in the kidnap and murder of Sunni civilians.
Police commanders, however, say many of the attacks are carried out by
impostors who buy, steal or counterfeit police uniforms, which are freely
available in many Baghdad markets.
The new uniform was designed to prevent this.
US General Joseph Peterson, who is in overall charge of the US-led
coalition's training programme for Iraqi police, welcomed the improvements.
"This is a great day for Iraq," he said.
"These new uniforms and also the new standard markings for the vehicles of
the national police ... begin the process of transformation," he added,
paying tribute to the 4,000 officers who have been killed in the past two
years.
"Policemen, national policemen, border policemen have paid a great price
over the last couple of years here in Iraq to build the forces that are
necessary to provide safe and secure environment to the people of Iraq."
Police Colonel Abdul-Munim Jassim, proudly wearing his new uniform, told
AFP why it would be difficult for assassins to fake.
"The Americans take a photo of the policeman together with the number of
the uniform. If found elsewhere, it will immediately be recognised as
stolen," he said, adding the outfit was more comfortable than his old one.
"I am happy with this clothing. It is light for the policeman to wear and
walk in the street," he said.
Bolani promised tough measures against anyone caught counterfeiting or
trading in the uniforms and praised his officers, telling them their work
had begun to turn back the tide of violence around Iraq.
Byline:Sabah Jerges
Date: 09 October 2006
BAGHDAD, Oct 9, 2006 (AFP) - Iraqi police modelled new-look uniforms Monday
in a bid to stay a step ahead of the death squads they claim are
masquerading as officers to carry out sectarian and political murders.
Policemen kitted out in the new blue, black and grey design -- in a digital
camouflage pattern similar to US models -- paraded for Iraqi Interior
Minister Jawad al-Bolani at a ceremony in a police compound in Baghdad.
"We are all proud today that the national police force is wearing new
uniforms to encounter all circumstances," Bolani said. "These new garments
will not be counterfeited," he promised.
Baghdad and the surrounding region are in the grip of a ferocious sectarian
conflict between rival Sunni and Shiite factions. Dozens of people are
killed every day, many of them by gangs in police uniforms and vehicles.
Last week and entire 800-strong police brigade was taken off the streets of
the city and sent for retraining after allegations it had collaborated with
Shiite militias in the kidnap and murder of Sunni civilians.
Police commanders, however, say many of the attacks are carried out by
impostors who buy, steal or counterfeit police uniforms, which are freely
available in many Baghdad markets.
The new uniform was designed to prevent this.
US General Joseph Peterson, who is in overall charge of the US-led
coalition's training programme for Iraqi police, welcomed the improvements.
"This is a great day for Iraq," he said.
"These new uniforms and also the new standard markings for the vehicles of
the national police ... begin the process of transformation," he added,
paying tribute to the 4,000 officers who have been killed in the past two
years.
"Policemen, national policemen, border policemen have paid a great price
over the last couple of years here in Iraq to build the forces that are
necessary to provide safe and secure environment to the people of Iraq."
Police Colonel Abdul-Munim Jassim, proudly wearing his new uniform, told
AFP why it would be difficult for assassins to fake.
"The Americans take a photo of the policeman together with the number of
the uniform. If found elsewhere, it will immediately be recognised as
stolen," he said, adding the outfit was more comfortable than his old one.
"I am happy with this clothing. It is light for the policeman to wear and
walk in the street," he said.
Bolani promised tough measures against anyone caught counterfeiting or
trading in the uniforms and praised his officers, telling them their work
had begun to turn back the tide of violence around Iraq.