Kurdistan Observer

Reversing a long-standing policy, the Bush administration is expected to seek congressional approval soon to provide military training for up to 10,000 members of the Iraqi opposition, according to administration officials and Iraqi opposition sources.

Troops to be trained "soon" would include Kurdish rebels from northern Iraq and other forces, but he would not say where the
training would take place or if the Pentagon had offered to arm the fighters.

Iraqi opposition groups were notified within the past two weeks of the administration's intent to offer training to up to 10,000
Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims and Kurds, the Times said.

The goal is to create an array of forces to assist the US military in a possible attack on Iraq, the American and Iraqi sources say.

The White House move, which could come as early as this week, reflects the depth of commitment to toppling Iraqi President Saddam Hussein - and the quickening pace of military preparations to attack his regime.

"We have graduated to the next step of regime change," said a well-placed administration source who requested anonymity.

The forces, to be culled from all of Iraq's major ethnic and religious groups, would be trained in ways to coordinate with and help American troops. Administration sources insist they will not be used to lead the charge against President Saddam.

To pay for the training, the White House intends to notify Congress that it wants to use the $92 million yet to be allocated from the 1998 Iraq Liberation Act. The diverse Iraqi opposition groups were told within the past two weeks of the administration's plan, according to three groups that represent Shiite and Sunni Muslims and ethnic Kurds.