Nearly 190,000 US weapons 'missing in Iraq'

WASHINGTON: The United States has lost track of nearly 190,000 weapons -- AK-47 rifles and pistols --given to Iraqi security forces between 2004 and 2005, according to a government report.

The Department of Defence also failed to keep an account of 135,000 items of body armour and 115,000 helmets meant to have been issued to Iraqi forces, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has pointed out.

"GAO's review of the January 2007 property books found continuing problems with missing and incomplete records. Further, the property books consist of extensive electronic spreadsheets which are an inefficient management tool," the report said.

According to GAO, since 2003, America has provided about $19.2 billion to develop Iraqi security forces.

"But the Department of Defence cannot fully account for Iraqi forces' receipt of US-funded equipment."

Further, the report said the US recently requested for an additional USD two billion to continue its effort in stabilising Iraq.

The report also raised concerns that weapons provided by the United States could be falling into the hands of Iraqi insurgents.

In fact, the revelation came at a time as the Congress was awaiting a report in September on the success of President George W. Bush's 'sure' plan for Baghdad.