15 March 2006

Language Institute opens up training options for Iraqi officials News NATO opens Defense Language Institute in Baghdad Background NATO's assistance to Iraq Since opening in February, a NATO-supported Defence Language Institute in Baghdad is teaching Iraqi civilian and military defence officials English, allowing them to benefit from additional, out-of-country training. This will allow an increasing number of Iraqi personnel to take part in specialised training outside of Iraq , for example at NATO schools and training facilities. The Institute is part of the National Defense University. NATO played a key role in its establishment, by advising on the course curriculum and assisting in the acquisition of its facilities, computers and furniture. At present 48 persons are taking part in three courses, each five-months long. The ultimate aim is for the Institute to teach more languages, including languages from the region, in order to prepare Iraqi personnel for participation in multinational missions. NATO’s assistance in setting up the Institute is part of the Alliance’s training assistance to Iraq, aimed at building the capability of its Government to address the security needs of the Iraqi people.