Brits teach Americans manners in Iraq

[dArKeR]

The world's mightiest military force had little trouble asserting itself in Iraq but when it comes to winning over the people of this proud Arab nation, it needs a little help from its friends.

A 14-man contingent from the British Army's Operational Training and Advisory Group (OPTAG) has spent the last five weeks in Iraq teaching more than 500 U.S. troops how to conduct patrols, search homes and deal with the locals in a way that does not raise their ire -- and hopefully minimises U.S. casualties.

"Nobody quite expected the problems the Americans are dealing with," said Chief Instructor Lieutenant Colonel Angus Loudon, who has served seven tours of duty in Northern Ireland and many more in Kosovo, Afghanistan and other trouble spots.

"So we're here to talk to them about the best practice techniques that seem to have worked for the British army in post -conflict situations for the past 35 years," he told Reuters at their last stop -- the northern Tall Afar base which was taken over by the U.S. 101st Armoured Airborne division.

Military strategists believe that the Americans' approach to postwar Iraq has antagonised the population.

(This is Bush policy not American citizens' policy - get is straight and clear.)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/24by7panews/page.cfm?objectid=13231361&method=full&siteid=50143

It seems to have worked with the killing of the 14 year old boy, Saddam's grandson.

I just can't believe our soldiers are killing children and the true men of our country, Fineman, Woodward, Russert, Limbaugh, North... don't stand up and say something?

I also believe Bush was personally notified that the sons were surrounded and he ordered the assassination of them and 14 year old grandson. If all the Media Whores are too afraid to ask Bush this question I will.

http://darkerxdarker.tripod.com/

[Dover]

1. Awww....a gentler, kinder Colonialism. Gentlemen Invaders...

Compassionate dictators....that's the goal. Miss Manners would be proud.

[izzie]

18. The Brits know? Well they have not always done the right thing

Look at India after 400 years. Course they did leave a pattern of law and order, as they have in every coutry, if that country wished to use it. We did.

[J B]

2. 35 years huh. Must mean after the Brits were thrown out of Yemen

Was reading about that just the other day. Lost a guerilla war and fled Yemen... ceding power in the region to the US...

[rjbcar27]

3. If you can't learn by your mistakes...

I think we Brits are doing a pretty good job under the circumstances.

[Spentastic]

5. Under the circumstances

Which just happen to be ongoing perpetration of a crime.

Stiff upper lip and a jaunty smile are all that are needed to reconstruct Iraq. That and some cups of tea.

How dumb do you have to be to work out that ignoring other people's culture may upset them?

I'm really really depressed at the moment.

[rjbcar27]

6. LOL, you're funny.

What would your solution be?

[Spentastic]

7. United Nations

I don't really have one but I'd much prefer to see the U.N. in there.

That or Scones. We could deliver a whole loads of Scones to Iraq and they'd just give up their resistnace to inavsion and have endless cream teas.

Peace through superior bakery.

[ze_dscherman]

8. Scones, yes, but forget about the rest ...

Heaven: French lover, Italian cook, German car, organised by the Swiss, British police.
Hell: French car, British cook, organised by Italians, Swiss lover, German police

Or something similar. But the cook in hell is always British. ;-)

[Spentastic]

9. I reckon

Criticism of us Brits on this count is unjustified.

I've travelled around Europe for several years and whilst France does stand out, the rest hardly cover themselves in glory. I'd be particularly harsh about Belgium though. I've been there several times and have yet to find anything worth eating.

German white sausages are particularly evil.

[ze_dscherman]

10. Sorry, could not resist ...

I remember British food as pretty evil, when I was there many years ago, staying at a British family. But breakfast was good, much better than the continental stuff, and I LOVED trifle sponge and sweet pies.

But of course, it's all according to ones upbringing. A Philippine friend of mine (and a great cook!) just shudders at the thought of cheese, but she better keeps her special sauce made of fermented fish heads to herself.

[Spentastic]

11. I was only joking

There are a few things Brits are really bad at. Sandwiches for a start.

Anyhow, the most commonly consumed dish in Britain is now curry. There's nothing better in my opinion.

[ze_dscherman]

12. Sandwiches? Used to luv sandwiches!

In Germany, foreign cuisine by far outweights "traditional" German cooking as well. You should try my special pizza with sauerkraut, pineapple, sour cream and cheese ...

And yes, curries are hot! I'm happy we have Indian stores in my hometown, so I can get those Patak curry pastes and all those lovely Indian spices.

On edit: Have we gone off topic yet?

[ze_dscherman]

17. Belgian fries!

They claim to have the best fries - and to have invented them.
http://search.csmonitor.com/durable/2000/05/02/p18s1.htm

I KNEW there was some good stuff coming from Belgium. Their chocolat is marvellous as well, and they brew some of the finest beer ever.

I hope some Belgian is reading my defense of their cuisine and sends me some bottles of Trappist monk beer ...
:toast: :beer:

[izzie]

19. Every country I have been in has someIf you eat some great food.

But do not try the meat hanging out doors in the market in Saudi and whale bluber(sp)raw is really something you must not try. Good plan do not ask what it is until after you try it, these people have been eating it and like it so you may learn something.

[T_i_B]

13. Scones?

We could deliver a whole loads of Scones to Iraq and they'd just give up their resistnace to invasion and have endless cream teas.

I disagree, we need to send an army of Bakewell Tarts to subdue Iraqi resistance! Far preferable to scones!

[Spentastic]

14. Sending loads of tarts to Iraq

May offend the more conservative Iraqis. If I really wanted to calm them down I'd definitely send Mini rolls. French fancies may be too provocative for the occupying forces.

[T_i_B]

15. Maybe we could give them

a mini roll with a bakewell tart! :evilgrin:

[Spentastic]

16. Dammit man!

Let's not start talking about chocolate fingers then.

[T_i_B]

21. You don't think they'll want my sticky buns then?

:evilgrin:

[Paschall]

4. Five weeks of training?

Didn't somebody named Hans Blix once promise to complete some inspections in about that same period of time?

[teryang]

20. Shooting into crowds, bad, bad! n/t

[kskiska]

22. Sounds like American soldiers are unconvinced

Some U.S. soldiers shrugged indifferently when asked if they had learned anything new from OPTAG, and some military experts said they were afraid the top U.S. brass were discouraging their men from putting a human face on the occupation.

[Rose Siding]

23. Whoa, coalition partner, buddie, comrade!

"Nobody quite expected the problems the Americans are dealing with," ??? Suddenly ,we aren't all in this together. This VALID criticism would have more credibility had it been offered at a time when it could actually have helped.

Why Angus, with all his creds and experience, is surprised at this point is a puzzle.

[cap]

24. uhhh... didn't the Brits get thrown out of Iraq in the 1920's

so who are they to give "lessons"????

I don't think we are really learning that much.

[blairs]

25. No, not thrown out...

Their mandate from the League of Nations ended, just as in Jordan, or Transjordan, as it was then known.

[ewagner]

26. uuummmmm

from 1917 to 1922?

Original defeat of Turks was by British Army of India I believe. Foreign office told them to establish "indigenous government" and get out. Generals reply: (paraphrased liberally) You gotta be kidding!