U.S. Commander Warns Iraqi Insurgents

AP | 1/16/04

[kattracks]

The Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq Jan. 16 — The top U.S. commander in Iraq on Friday urged Saddam Hussein's loyalists to lay down arms and "embrace the future," of a sovereign Iraq, saying they will otherwise end up either dead or in custody. "We will be relentless in the pursuit of these targets," Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the commander of U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, said at a news conference. The U.S. military has captured or killed all but 13 of the 55 most wanted figures from Saddam's regime, including the ousted dictator himself. Since Saddam's capture on Dec. 13, the U.S. military says attacks by insurgents have fallen to about 15 a day compared to a few dozen previously.

"The timing is perfect for the anti-coalition forces and former regime elements to make a decision that it is time to embrace the future," Sanchez said.

"The former regime is never going to come back. We are focused. We are effective in the pursuit of these individuals. We are going to capture them or kill, as is our mission," he said.

The U.S. government intends to hand over sovereign power by July 1 to an Iraqi government appointed by a provisional legislature to be selected by regional caucuses.

The security of the country also is being gradually passed on to Iraqi troops and police being trained by the U.S. military, Sanchez said, adding that tactical control will, however, remain with U.S. forces.

"Those (insurgents) that remain at large, and given the pace that we are moving toward sovereignty, it is time for them to lay down their arms ... we have to embrace the future," he said.

After the capture of Saddam, the most-wanted man on the U.S. list is his lieutenant, former Vice President Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri.

U.S. troops captured four of his nephews on Wednesday, two of whom are believed to have been helping him hide and keep one step ahead of his American pursuers.

Sanchez said with a smile: "We will get him. We are gonna get him."

[Loyal Buckeye]

Mr. Sanchez appears to be extremely competent and professional, as do the other representatives of the military I've seen on the tube.

Thank you troops.

[FreedomPoster]

Ping.

[FreedomPoster]

>>"The former regime is never going to come back. We are focused. We are effective in the pursuit of these individuals. We are going to capture them or kill, as is our mission," he said.

Worth saying again.

[Elkiejg]

The U.S. military has captured or killed all but 13 of the 55 most wanted figures from Saddam's regime

Credit for this to our brave military.....but....the terrorist keep coming over the borders. I'd like to see the administration bring 100% pressure on these countries to stop the flood of terrorists into Iraq - they could IF they wanted to.

[scab4faa]

Falling on deaf ears I fear.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Worth saying again! (^:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BAGHDAD, Iraq Jan. 16 — The top U.S. commander in Iraq on Friday urged Saddam Hussein's loyalists to lay down arms and "embrace the future," of a sovereign Iraq, saying they will otherwise end up either dead or in custody. "We will be relentless in the pursuit of these targets," Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the commander of U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, said at a news conference. The U.S. military has captured or killed all but 13 of the 55 most wanted figures from Saddam's regime, including the ousted dictator himself. Since Saddam's capture on Dec. 13, the U.S. military says attacks by insurgents have fallen to about 15 a day compared to a few dozen previously.

"The former regime is never going to come back. We are focused. We are effective in the pursuit of these individuals. We are going to capture them or kill, as is our mission."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you hear me now? Ping!

[astounded]

Elkie:

I've said this before. I know it is not a simple matter, but the US and allies could set up a number of guarded border crossings along major "highways", and then announce via BBC, CNN, al Jazerra, and other media outlets that entry to Iraq must occur through those points. Anyone seen along the border anywhere else, no matter what, will be assumed enemy and killed - not captured. Keep AC130s aloft 24/7, have USAF A10s and USMC F18s on call or aloft out of western Iraq, with Apaches or Blackhawk gunships to support long range recon all along the borders with Iran and Syria. Use JSTARS to look along the border at night. String a line of fortified Special Forces A-team and Ranger camps along the Iran border, for long range recon and strike forces to operate from. Turn the border into a free-fire zone, sort of like the Iron Triangle or Rung Sat, until the muslims get the message. Don't be afraid to pursue into Iran or Syria to kill the intruders - send a strong message to both governments that they will meet the same end as saddam if this continues.

[Cap Huff]

Dog, I don't know whether you get pinged to this list, but I though you would like to see Gen. Sanchez quoting you!

"After the capture of Saddam, the most-wanted man on the U.S. list is his lieutenant, former Vice President Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri. . . . .

Sanchez said with a smile: 'We will get him. We are gonna get him.'"

They can smell him! I hope its not long now.

[blackie]

U.S. Commander Warns Iraqi Insurgents ~ Bump!

[PhilDragoo]

saying they will otherwise end up either dead or in custody

[windchime]

Bump!