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| 190,000 weapons 'missing in Iraq' | 190,000 weapons 'missing in Iraq' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US military cannot account for 190,000 AK-47 assault rifles and pistols given to the Iraqi security forces, an official US report says. | The US military cannot account for 190,000 AK-47 assault rifles and pistols given to the Iraqi security forces, an official US report says. |
| The Government Accountability Office (GAO) says the Pentagon cannot track about 30% of the weapons distributed in Iraq over the past three years. | The Government Accountability Office (GAO) says the Pentagon cannot track about 30% of the weapons distributed in Iraq over the past three years. |
| The Pentagon did not dispute the figures, but said it was reviewing arms deliveries procedures. | The Pentagon did not dispute the figures, but said it was reviewing arms deliveries procedures. |
| About $19.2bn has been spent by the US since 2003 on Iraqi security forces. | About $19.2bn has been spent by the US since 2003 on Iraqi security forces. |
| GAO, the investigative arm of the US Congress, said at least $2.8bn of this money was used to buy and deliver weapons and other equipment. | GAO, the investigative arm of the US Congress, said at least $2.8bn of this money was used to buy and deliver weapons and other equipment. |
| Correspondents say it is now feared many of the weapons are being used against US forces on the ground in Iraq. | Correspondents say it is now feared many of the weapons are being used against US forces on the ground in Iraq. |
| Discrepancies | Discrepancies |
| The GAO said weapons distribution was haphazard and rushed and failed to follow established procedures, particularly from 2004 to 2005. | The GAO said weapons distribution was haphazard and rushed and failed to follow established procedures, particularly from 2004 to 2005. |
| MISSING IN IRAQ AK-47 rifles: 110,000Pistols: 80,000Body armour pieces: 135,000Helmets: 115,000 | |
| During this period, security training was led by Gen David Petraeus, who now commands all US forces in Iraq. | During this period, security training was led by Gen David Petraeus, who now commands all US forces in Iraq. |
| The GAO reached the estimate - 111,000 missing AK-47s and 80,000 missing pistols - by comparing the property records of the Multi-National Security Transition Command for Iraq against records maintained by Gen Petraeus of the arms and equipment he ordered. | The GAO reached the estimate - 111,000 missing AK-47s and 80,000 missing pistols - by comparing the property records of the Multi-National Security Transition Command for Iraq against records maintained by Gen Petraeus of the arms and equipment he ordered. |
| Deputy Assistant Defence Secretary Mark Kimmitt told AFP the Pentagon was "reviewing policies and procedures to ensure US-funded equipment reaches the intended Iraqi security forces under the Iraq program". | Deputy Assistant Defence Secretary Mark Kimmitt told AFP the Pentagon was "reviewing policies and procedures to ensure US-funded equipment reaches the intended Iraqi security forces under the Iraq program". |
| Weapons delay | Weapons delay |
| The report comes as a political battle rages in Washington over the progress of the war in Iraq. | The report comes as a political battle rages in Washington over the progress of the war in Iraq. |
| Gen Petraeus and US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are scheduled to report to Congress by mid-September on the success of efforts to halt sectarian violence and return Iraq to viable self-governance. | Gen Petraeus and US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are scheduled to report to Congress by mid-September on the success of efforts to halt sectarian violence and return Iraq to viable self-governance. |
| Meanwhile, at the end of July, the US Defence Department admitted that the US-led coalition in Iraq had failed to deliver nearly two-thirds of the equipment it promised to Iraq's army. | Meanwhile, at the end of July, the US Defence Department admitted that the US-led coalition in Iraq had failed to deliver nearly two-thirds of the equipment it promised to Iraq's army. |
| The Pentagon said only 14.5m of the nearly 40m items of equipment ordered by the Iraqi army had been provided. | The Pentagon said only 14.5m of the nearly 40m items of equipment ordered by the Iraqi army had been provided. |
| The US military commander in charge of training in Iraq has asked for help in speeding up the transfer of equipment. | The US military commander in charge of training in Iraq has asked for help in speeding up the transfer of equipment. |
| Iraq's ambassador to the US said the delays were hindering the fighting capacity of its armed forces. | Iraq's ambassador to the US said the delays were hindering the fighting capacity of its armed forces. |