Iraq rebuffs Iranian military training aid

United Press International: Iraqi Defense Minister Sadoun Dulaimi has denied part of an agreement with Iran struck last week includes assistance in training the country’s new military.
At a Baghdad news conference, Dulaimi denied Iranian Defense Minister Adm. Ali Shamkhani’s claim Iran would provide training as part of a five-point memorandum of understanding. United Press International

Iraqi Defense Minister Sadoun Dulaimi has denied part of an agreement with Iran struck last week includes assistance in training the country’s new military.

At a Baghdad news conference, Dulaimi denied Iranian Defense Minister Adm. Ali Shamkhani’s claim Iran would provide training as part of a five-point memorandum of understanding.

He said the agreement did call for Iran to give $1 billion in reconstruction aid to the Iraqi government, some of which would go to the Defense Ministry.

Dulaimi said the new, year-old Iraqi army was satisfied with the training provided by the U.S. military, the Washington Post reported.

“When Iraqis are able to establish security, I will ask the multinational forces to leave,” he said.