Myers, Abizaid Hold Strategy Session in Baghdad

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 14, 2004 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commander of U.S. Central Command held discussions about the situation in Iraq here today.

Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers and Army Gen. John Abizaid spoke for about an hour and 20 minutes after Myers arrived from meetings in Kuwait.

A Joint Staff official characterized the discussions as "frank, productive, a good give-and-take." The chairman is in Iraq following meetings with leaders in Bahrain and Kuwait. He arrived in Iraq at Tallil and met with Italian troops responsible for patrolling the city of Nasiriyah. He later flew on here.

The chairman arrives as the ceasefire in Fallujah continues. It has been five days since the Marines have surrounded the area. The city is in the heart of the Sunni triangle west of Baghdad, and has an enemy group of former regime elements, foreign fighters and extremists. The Marines moved on the city following the murder of four Americans by anti-coalition forces and the mutilation of their bodies by an out-of-control crowd.

In the south, the riots encouraged by radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr sputter on in Najaf and Karbala. U.S. troops and other coalition forces have worked to contain Sadr and his illegal militia. Earlier in Kuwait, Myers said that Sadr had marginalized himself and his movement. The chairman added that Sadr's move is against the best interests of Iraqs.

As if pointing up the problems in Iraq, soon after Myers arrived at the place where he would stay, two rounds hit about 500 meters away. There were no casualties.

Myers said he visits the region every three or four months "just to get more texture on what's happening."

He said he is not in Iraq to deliver a message to coalition commanders, but rather to learn from the situation on the ground. "What I need to know … is what do they need to do the job?" he said. "You learn a lot from talking to the commanders on the ground. I learned a lot talking to the Italians in Tallil. Their morale was great, and they seemed in good spirits."

Biographies:
Gen. Richard B. Myers
Gen. John Abizaid

1 posted on 04/14/2004 5:08:19 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ...

A Joint Staff official characterized the discussions as "frank, productive, a good give-and-take."

The chairman arrives as the ceasefire in Fallujah continues...It has been five days since the Marines have surrounded the area...

...soon after Myers arrived at the place where he would stay, two rounds hit about 500 meters away. There were no casualties.

Myers said he visits the region every three or four months "just to get more texture on what's happening."

"What I need to know … is what do they need to do the job?" he said. "You learn a lot from talking to the commanders on the ground. I learned a lot talking to the Italians in Tallil. Their morale was great, and they seemed in good spirits."

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

~* Bad news for the bad guys.*~

FR threads:
8 Myers Visits Italian Coalition Members in Iraq

8 Myers Meets with Kuwaiti Leaders, Thanks Them for Support

2 posted on 04/14/2004 5:21:06 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("A small group of extremists are having a large effect on the media." - Gen. Kimmitt, Baghdad, 4/12)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Maybe I shouldn't say this but I'd like to see them bring General Franks back for consultation. Has anyone else noticed how a guy who tv hosts would LOVE to have on on their show has remained virtually invisible. I respect that a lot.

3 posted on 04/14/2004 5:25:26 PM PDT by misunderestimated

To: misunderestimated

I respect that a lot.

Me too, although we must realize he won't critize the president or current commanders, so TV Leftists probably figure he has nothing worthwhile to say.

4 posted on 04/14/2004 5:32:56 PM PDT by Wolfstar (John F. Kerry is a true Leftist idealogue — a true Leftist believer.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

I don't agree with the 'ceasefire' BS. The four Americans are still brutally murdered. Kick butt in Falluja and then maybe a ceasefire.

5 posted on 04/14/2004 5:43:21 PM PDT by blam

To: misunderestimated

Maybe I shouldn't say this but I'd like to see them bring General Franks back for consultation.

How do you know he isn't doing a little "consultation"? :)

Not that I know he is, but if he is, he might have a little more self-respect than to plaster himself all over the TV while doing so.

6 posted on 04/14/2004 7:00:44 PM PDT by FlyVet

It is a pretty weak ceasefire alright....but if Sadr truly stops his temper tantrums in Najif, the nuts in Fallujah are doomed...but they will likely fight for awhile for the honor and glory of ...Mohammed I guess.

7 posted on 04/14/2004 7:18:53 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got!!!!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

8 posted on 04/15/2004 6:54:40 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794