First U.S. troops in Baghdad for new plan

[cal04]

The first additional American troops who will take part in a major new security plan in Baghdad have arrived in the Iraqi capital, the U.S. commander in Iraq, General George Casey, said on Monday.

"The initial elements of the first group are here," he told a news conference. He declined to give more details or say when operations would start but he said a report that 4,000 of the planned 17,500 extra troops had arrived was "real high."

Asked about reports of frustration among U.S. officials with Iraqi counterparts over the planning of an operation to be led by the Iraqi government with U.S. help, Casey said: "Transitions generate friction. And we are in a period of transition."

But he said U.S. and Iraqi officials were working hard to ensure a workable command structure that would allow Iraqi control while maintaining the security and effectiveness of U.S. troops.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070115/us_nm/iraq_security_troops_dc_3

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. I fear

we are going to see a big increase in US casualties. I hope I'm wrong.

[xchrom]

2. what that shows -- to me anyway --

is that the ''surge'' was in the works BEFORE we heard of it.

[Jazzgirl]

3. Xchrom, exactly what I thought.

That means they've been planning for quite a while to send extra troops. I hate these people. :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Lasher]

4. My first reaction too, xchrom.

Remember Junior said he consulted with Congress, but our Democratic leaders said they were notified and not consulted with? Now it is apparent that Congress was notified after this was set in motion.

[Rebellious Republican]

6. Absofuckinlutey correct xchrom. Chimps "Escalation" is not a new thing.

[rodeodance]

10. right ON

[Eugene]

5. AP: Casey Says Results in Iraq Won't Be Fast

Associated Press
Casey Says Results in Iraq Won't Be Fast
By KIM GAMEL 01.15.07, 7:32 AM ET

There are no guarantees of overall success or quick results in the new U.S.-Iraqi
security drive in Baghdad, Gen. George Casey, the U.S. commander in Iraq, said
Monday.

He told reporters he did not expect significant results until the summer and fall,
for the first time putting a timeframe around the new plan that was announced
Wednesday by President Bush.

"As with any plan, there are no guarantees of success, and it's not going to
happen overnight but with sustained political support and the concentrated efforts
on all sides I believe that this plan can work," Casey told a news conference.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/01/15/ap3328628.html

Also: Baghdad plan to last at least 6 months-sources - Reuters

[xchrom]

7. the results won't be fast -- and it will be HUGELY expensive.

there is no way they are exposing all the financials around this surge -- and bushco will do it's best to hide as much of it as they can.

[rodeodance]

9. in BLOOD

[ohio2007]

8. If the slums are flushed with US troops

then "the bad guys" will go on vacation until "positive results" have been announced by Maliki/US generals

[LynnTheDem]

11. 2 US troops dead in Baghdad.

The headline right below yours.

[Straight Shooter]

13. Don't we just hate those deadly exploding flowers from the grateful Iraqis.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2689406

I see this is another "Give it 6 months to work" useless plan. These people are so far beyond stupid and incompetent, there isn't even a word for it in the English language.

[LynnTheDem]

14. More US dead in Iraq than in Vietnam at same point in time.

It wasn't until AFTER the escalation in 'Nam that the bodies started dropping fast & furious.

Geore W. bUsh; still working to make his Iraq far worse than Vietnam, including in US bodycount.

[gratuitous]

12. "Transitions generate friction"

Oh-so-airy and -breezy, aren't we "General" Casey? You know that several hundred more deaths and several thousand more casualties are coming down the pike due to this blunder, but you just can't quite see your way clear to standing up for your principles, can you? One of your men will throw himself on a live grenade to save his buddies, and you applaud that. What are you willing to do, Mr. Casey, to save the lives that are in your hands?