The recent reports of missing AK-47s, pistols, and body armor are inaccurate, said pentagon spokesperson Devin Raintree at a Department of Defense press briefing earlier today.
“All this talk of the department losing vital arms and body armor intended for Iraqi security forces, I think it’s time to set the record straight,” said Raintree.
The DOD went on to point out that it is much more likely that American-financed private security contractors probably sold the guns and armor to Iraqi insurgents. Raintree also pointed out that some of the weapons probably weren’t misappropriated in Iraq, but may have been diverted from Europe even before the US invaded Iraq in March 2003.
Halliburton, a major contractor in both the Iraq actions and in the earlier Bosnia-Herzegovina actions denied any illegal collusion with the US government, pointing out how Vice President Dick Cheney severed all ties with the contracting giant when he assumed office. Halliburton did not deny rumors alleging they are going to from their own country in what is now Wyoming after the Bush administration departs Washington. They also did not deny allegations that they would raise, and arm, their own army for that country, with the vital initial cadre coming from Iraqi security forces.