U.S. Has No Quick Exit Strategy for Iraq

[papau]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3387037,00.html

U.S. Has No Quick Exit Strategy for Iraq

Friday November 14, 2003 1:46 PM
By BARRY SCHWEID AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. occupiers may begin transferring power back to the Iraqi people at any time, but the speeded-up change in authority doesn't mean American troops will leave the country any sooner, Bush administration officials say. <snip>

With the U.S. death toll in Iraq approaching 400 and some polls showing increasing criticism of Bush's handling of post-war Iraq, the administration's aim is to accelerate steps toward an Iraqi takeover and an end to the U.S. occupation.

"It does not mean we would physically leave the country any sooner," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told troops Thursday in Guam. "What it means is the Iraqis would begin to take on a greater portion of responsibility for governing themselves sooner."<snip>

Among the options Bremer was charged with taking up with the council were holding elections in the first half of next year and the formation of a new government before a constitution is written, senior administration officials said Thursday. <snip>

"And so it's the timeline on the permanent constitution that's really extended," she said. Rice said the transfer of more authority to Iraqis "can happen at any time and hopefully will happen well short of a year."<snip>

[pitseleh1]

1. Quagmire

Also check out this Reuters report that the number of US deaths in Iraq has alredy surpassed the number of US troops killed in the first three years of Vietnam (which officially started on Dec. 11, 1961).

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1114-01.htm

[underpants]

3. ABC's list of casualties

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Primetime/IRAQ_Casualties.html

[mike_c]

2. sounds like the vietnamization of Iraq....

Damn, what was the name of that strategy, involving increasing the role of the ARVN? You know, the really successful one that turned the tide in Vietnam....

[underpants]

4. They orginal strategy included something called a "cakewalk"

courtesy of Richard Perle

But apparently that has been changed.

[jmcgowanjm]

5. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist says Iraq is a massive failure

Seymour Hersh-enough said.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/articleDisplay.jsp?a_id=2615

[NoKingGeorge]

7. We should leave now. It's a no win situation.

This was a bad mistake. There could have been no other outcome other than failure, check history. We can debate the fine points,coalitions,
Democracy vs theocracy. We should board the boats,sail away and have these traitors deal with the repercusions. Start the clean up.

[jmcgowanjm]

8. Problem now-after every war an EconomicDownturn

Plus, now, after we leave Iraq the oil there
will be priced in Euros.

Dollar loses WorldReserve Currency
status
Renminbi's anyone?

[underpants]

9. Legally we can't

I know I know they didn't give a rat's a** about the illegality of the war but according to the Geneva Convention and the UN charter we are obligated to stay. Plus if we pull out now we would basically be handing Iraq and all of its riches (oil,water, etc.) to whoever wins what would be an ungodly war.

I was dead against the war but now we have (and will have to) follow through. All of this was readily apparent before the war that's why it was such a horrible idea.

[librechik]

6. the song and dance goes on

can anyone believe anything these people say?

obviously not