Desert Caution: Once 'Stormin' Norman,' Gen. Schwarzkopf Is Skeptical About U.S. Action in Iraq

Washington Post ^ | Jan. 28,2003 | Thomas Ricks

[mountaineer]

TAMPA--Norman Schwarzkopf wants to give peace a chance.

The general who commanded U.S. forces in the 1991 Gulf War says he hasn't seen enough evidence to convince him that his old comrades Dick Cheney, Colin Powell and Paul Wolfowitz are correct in moving toward a new war now. He thinks U.N. inspections are still the proper course to follow. He's worried about the cockiness of the U.S. war plan, and even more by the potential human and financial costs of occupying Iraq.

And don't get him started on Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

In fact, the hero of the last Gulf War sounds surprisingly like the man on the street when he discusses his ambivalence about the Bush administration's hawkish stance on ousting Saddam Hussein. He worries about the Iraqi leader, but would like to see some persuasive evidence of Iraq's alleged weapons programs.

[mountaineer]

The article also quotes Schwarzkopf's detractors, a pretty well-balanced piece.

[Quilla]

Meaning no disrespect, General, but I do believe you are out of the loop.

[Thane_Banquo]

They are trying to place him in the same league as the commie peace protestors in DC a couple weeks ago. Problem is, those peaceniks say no war no matter what evidence is found: Saddam Hussein is a fellow traveler and thus beyond serious criticism. Schwarzkopf is saying he wants to see the evidence Bush has seen, and if it is convincing, he'll support war.

There is a sharp difference.

[Fred Mertz]

He contrasts Cheney's low profile as defense secretary during the Gulf War with Rumsfeld's frequent television appearances since Sept. 11, 2001. "He almost sometimes seems to be enjoying it." That, Schwarzkopf admonishes, is a sensation to be avoided when engaged in war.

I share Schwarzkopf's concern about Rumsfeld's (nearly) daily appearances.

[PISANO]

I wonder if the General would have the same opinion if Japan constantly, openly and forcefully violated their UNCONDITIONAL surrender terms after WWII.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Just like the other experienced military commanders who oppose this utopian war eh? Those military men are a bunch of peacenik weanies!

[PhiKapMom]

Meaning no disrespect, General, but I do believe you are out of the loop.

There is the problem I see -- he is out of the loop and doesn't like it so now he wants to see the evidence before he gives support! Ex-Generals do not belong in the the loop on this one until everything is ready to do -- t's crossed and i's dotted. Too many Retired military are being paid for interviews and if I were in Intelligence wouldn't give them any info either.

[mountaineer]

you are out of the loop.

That seems to be the understatement du jour!

[fightinJAG]

Yes, Norman is out of the loop.

Also this really is nothing new. It's no secret that Schwarzkopf was part of the "don't go to Baghdad" crowd even back in 1991.

I respect Schwarzkopf's dissent, but I have a hard time understanding why he does give more credit to his old buddies and the conclusions they are drawing from the information to which they are privy and he is not.

Mewonders if perchance there is a tiny sliver of self-vindication going on here. After all, the "don't go to Baghdad" crowd has been proven wrong by the events of the last decade-plus. By going to Baghdad now, it may feel like a slap to those who said it could not be done and it should not be done.

Obviously, it can be done and it should be done.

We all make mistakes, Norm.

[fightinJAG]

oops

does give more credit = does NOT give more credit

[mountaineer]

other experienced military commanders who oppose this utopian war

Please identify these experienced military commanders. Who has stated any war against Iraq would be "utopian"?

[TLBSHOW]

Thanks for the ping! I say just go and get it done. The America people are starting to think of Bush as a wobbler! You know the ones I mean? The ones that are not 24/7 political news hounds.

[dts32041]

Isn't this the General that negotiated the Cease fire that let the Iraqi's use there Helo's for troop movements?

Seems to me he is partiality responsible for the mess we are in today.

Me no disrespect for the Bear nor his father, but look deeper than the remarks attributed to him?

I sometimes think this whole country suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

[GraniteStateConservative]

No, the problem is that the economic team don't have similar exposure to the press.

[mountaineer]

he is partiality responsible for the mess we are in today.

The second half of the article addresses that very subject.

[Mr. Bird]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is part of the set up. Esteemed general doubts prudence of invasion, then quickly supports it when the administration reveals the evidence. In a sense, the administration needs to cultivate a little dissent, if only to provide a compelling momentum upon revelation.

[libbylu]

i saw the general for a few minutes on a show last night, i sure didn't get this impression from him. he actually said dashle's pre-state of the union was a political football. he said the thing about compromising sources, etc, giving too much info, and said that congress had leaked before!!!!!!!!
channel surving i also saw woodruff say that cheney influenced the general's plans and actually instigated the "left hook" in 1991 gulf war. i hate it when i have control of the tv, lol.

[Hostage]

Am I in the minority when I say that more inspections are a good thing?

The only thing I would change is the size and composition of the inspection force. I would want to add about 50,000 U.S. Marines in civilian clothes driving around Iraq documenting and photographing everything of military significance!

Then I would join the peacenazis who are chanting "Let Inspectors Do Their Work!". Yeah, that's the idea, let my Corps, er, I mean... our inspectors... do their job!

[F16Fighter]

The Washington Post: [Schwarzkopf] worries about the Iraqi leader, but would like to see persuavive evidence of Iraqi's alleged weapons programs.

"Alleged weapons programs??"

Was this a verbatim quote by Scharzkopf or just the Washington Post playing psychic mind-reader again?

If U.S. Intelligence produced a hundred pictures of Saddam stroking a hundred big shiny missiles stamped with the words, "Die America," the Post and the Left would maintain they were merely Valentines Day "love-toy gifts."

[cynicom]

Fred...

Norman and all generals hate to have to play second fiddle in the public spotlight. By nature they are spotlight hogs. With civilians in charge they hate to be seen as having to follow someone else for a change. With Rumsfeld, it is easy to see who is in charge, Franks and the rest have to follow him around like a lackey, that is galling to all generals.