The security ministries have to be run by people who are not associated with militias and who are not regarded as sectarian. The issue is how forces that we're investing a huge amount of money in are perceived by the Iraqis. If they are perceived as sectarian, their effectiveness will not be there. We have insisted on this, stated it clearly. These two ministries need people who are acceptable to all parties of a national unity government. ... We are saying: If you choose the wrong candidates, that will affect U.S. aid.

Zalmay Khalilzad