This may be the funniest line in history:  "Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, a
military spokesman, said the facilities will be transferred over time but
that the Iraqis must first demonstrate they are following international law
and not violating detainees' human rights."  Suddenly international law
matters to the US? Should have thought of that before spending the last
three years breaking it.
U.S.: No Handover of Prisons to Iraq
1 hour, 20 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. military said Sunday it will not hand over
detention facilities or individual detainees to Iraqi officials until they
have demonstrated higher standards of care.

Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, a military spokesman, said the facilities will be
transferred over time but that the Iraqis must first demonstrate they are
following international law and not violating detainees' human rights.

"A specific timeline for doing this is difficult to project at this stage
with so many variables," Johnson said, confirming a report in Sunday's New
York Times. "The Iraqis are committed to doing this right and will not rush
to failure. The transition will be based on meeting standards, not on a
timeline."

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said earlier this month that at least 120
abused prisoners were found in two detention facilities run by the
Shiite-led Interior Ministry.

Even before then, Sunni Arabs had complained about abuse and torture by
Interior Ministry security forces. Interior Minister Bayan Jabr has said
torture allegations have been exaggerated by people who sympathize with the
Sunni-led insurgency.

The Iraqi government and multinational forces are planning and coordinating
for the Iraqis to take full control ultimately of detention facilities.

The U.S. Department of Justice is training Iraqi prison guards, Johnson
said, and about 300 Iraqis have already completed the course.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051225/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_prisons