LOC23:44
20:44 GMT
WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (KUNA) -- The US government will hire an additional 7,
000 security contractors once Congress approves the 2011 budget.
Speaking at the annual Arab-US Policymakers conference in Washington,
Michael Corbin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for State for Iraq said security
contractors will help "the Iraqi government improve its police department and
other civil agencies."
Corbin stated that State Department will hire another 7,000 security
contractors once Congress comes through with a 2011 budget, in which State
Department has requested USD 2.6 billion for operations in Iraq.
As the US military mission in Iraq continues to lessen; transfer to more
civilian development focused operation is rapidly taking place, Corbin noted.
The State Department takes on greater roles training the Iraqi police and
establishing a permanent diplomatic presence there, said Corbin.
Corbin watered down the role played by the regional powers in forming
Iraq's new government, and stressed that the new government should be
inclusive" and that "what the people of Iraq wants." (end)
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