CONTRACTORS BLAMED FOR POOR IRAQI FORCES

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The U.S. military has concluded that privatecontractors were largely responsible for the poor performance of Iraq'smilitary and security forces. U.S. officials said companies awarded contracts to train the Iraqiforces failed to enforce discipline and had little understanding of thecountry or its mentality. They said the contractors did not imposesufficient controls on trainers and methods.