Perspective: An Iraqi arrest list stirs concern

Iraqis gather today to identify their relatives at the local morgue in Baqouba to, capitol of Diyala province. Bodies are delivered daily, often bullet riddled and with marks of torture

BAQOUBA, IRAQ — It did not take long for Col. Brian Jones to begin to have doubts about the new Iraqi commander.

Brig. Gen. Shakir Hulail Hussein al-Kaabi was chosen three months ago by the Shiite-led government in Baghdad to lead the Iraqi army's 5th Division in Diyala province.

Within weeks, Shakir came to Jones with an arrest roster.

On the list were the names of nearly every Sunni Arab sheik and political leader that U.S. officers had identified as crucial allies in their quest to persuade Sunnis to embrace the political process and turn against the Sunni insurgent groups here.

"Where's the evidence?" Jones demanded of Shakir. "Where's the proof? What makes us suspect these guys? None of that stuff exists."

To that, Jones recalled, the Iraqi commander replied simply, "I got this from Baghdad."

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