New York Times
The U.S. plan to withdraw large numbers of the 135,000 American combat troops next year will hinge on a functioning ministry, these commanders said. If American troops leave without one in place, they said, the Iraqi Army could quickly collapse.
"What are lacking are the systems that pay people, that supply people, that recruit people, that replace the wounded and AWOL, and systems that promote people and provide spare parts," said a top U.S. commander in Iraq, who asked not to be identified because his assessment of the Iraqi capabilities went beyond the military's public descriptions.
http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2005/08/03/news/ministry.php