The Iraqi defense minister said Monday that his nation would not be able to take full responsibility for its internal security until 2012, nor be able on its own to defend Iraq’s borders from external threat until at least 2018.

Those comments from the minister, Abdul Qadir, were among the most specific public projections of a timeline for the American commitment in Iraq by officials in either Washington or Baghdad. And they suggested a longer commitment than either government had previously indicated.

Pentagon officials expressed no surprise at Mr. Qadir’s projections, which were even less optimistic than those he made last year.

Update: Swopa seems to think this guy is on our payroll, doesn't have much juice in Baghdad, or both.

Are you sure this guy speaks for the Iraqi government? Sounds like he's a counterpart to Mohammed Shahwani (remember him?).

http://www.needlenose.com/node/view/4520
 Unknown | 11:34 PM