The Government decided today to contribute
ten Swedish police instructors to a training programme for Iraqi policemen
in Ammam, Jordan.
"The serious security situation
in Iraq represents a decisive obstacle to normalisation of the country
and is a contributory factor in preventing international aid efforts from
being implemented effectively," says Minister for Foreign Affairs
Laila Freivalds.
"Priority must be given to measures to improve security and an efficient Iraqi police service is a step in the right direction."
It is considered that an Iraqi police force should consist of around 70 000 police officers. At present there are about 30 000 in the force. To meet this need, a programme for intensive training of Iraqi policemen has been organised at a police training college in Ammam, Jordan. Next year, up to 30 000 Iraqis will undergo intensive police training. To be able to carry out this training programme, a large number of international instructors will be required.
The training programme follows a model previously used successfully in, for example, Kosovo and Timor-Leste, where Swedish police officers also participated.