Departing Iraq commander bemoans budget cut

The outgoing commander of U.S. forces in Iraq Wednesday bemoaned the Senate Armed Services Committee's decision to cut in half the $2 billion request in the Pentagon's fiscal 2011 budget for Iraqi security forces.

Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, whom the Senate already has confirmed to lead the Norfolk, Va.-based U.S. Joint Forces Command when he completes his tour in Iraq in September, said the money is critical to making Iraq capable of defending itself after all U.S. combat forces leave in December 2011.

"With us still on the ground, we can get this done quicker and more efficiently. So that's why I want the money for '11," Odierno said during a breakfast with reporters. "It will be used to work on the border forces. It will be used to ... finish building the Army's strategic logistics."

Odierno said the $2 billion request "is cost-sharing. We're not paying for everything." Iraq plans to spend $11 billion, or 17.5 percent of its budget, on security this year.

The four-star general also stressed the importance of helping Iraq financially as it struggles with a budget deficit estimated at $12 billion. Doing so, Odierno said, will help stabilize the country and could ensure Iraq will be a strong partner in the volatile region.

"We have to be careful that we don't run away from them," he said.

Senate Armed Services Chairman Committee Carl Levin, D-Mich., argued during a news conference May 28 that "it's kind of hard to justify putting billions of dollars in for the Iraq army" considering the country's oil revenue and its decision to slash the request for defense spending.

During Odierno's confirmation hearing June 24, Armed Services Committee ranking member John McCain, R-Ariz., said Levin made the cut "without the consultation with the minority and replaced by earmarked pork-barrel projects - one of the really most unusual acts that I have seen in the years that I have served on this committee."

Odierno Wednesday said it would take until 2013 or 2014 for Iraq to produce enough oil where the country would be financially solvent.

"We have to determine what's the right level to continue to provide some support" to Iraq, he said. "It's in our best interest ... to continue to support them to build the military, for example."

Meanwhile, Odierno said the United States plans to build an office of security cooperation inside its embassy to provide long-term technical support to Iraqi security forces as they buy U.S. equipment.

Iraq has already committed to buying M1A1 Abrams tanks, C-130 airlifters and some helicopters. The country is also requesting 18 F-16 fighter jets, which would be delivered starting in 2013.