US abruptly demotes Saddam general in Fallujah

Telegraph ^ | May 3, 2004 | Toby Harnden

[John Jorsett]

The general selected by the US marines to command a new Iraqi force in Fallujah has been abruptly replaced after he denied that there were foreign fighters in the insurgent city and blamed America for fomenting the bloody rebellion there.

Maj Gen Jassim Mohammed Saleh, a former member of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard, was trumpeted by local US commanders as the type of strong man who could pacify the 2,000 gunmen in Fallujah.

Gen Saleh: appointment angered Iraqi politicians

But in an indication of American desperation, it emerged that Gen Saleh had been selected even though little was known about him.

One of his main tasks was to ensure that an estimated several hundred foreign fighters were handed over to coalition forces. On Saturday, Lt Gen James Conway, the US marines commander, said the general was ready to deal with them.

Shortly afterwards, Gen Saleh said: "There are no foreign fighters in Fallujah and the local tribal leaders have told me the same.

"The reasons for the resistance go back to the American provocations, the raids and abolishing the army, which made Iraqis join the resistance."

Yesterday, coalition officials in Baghdad said Maj Gen Mohammed Latif, a military intelligence officer thought to have been exiled by Saddam, would take charge of the new Fallujah force and Gen Saleh would be a subordinate.

The appearance of Gen Saleh on the streets of Fallujah enraged several senior Iraqi politicians.

Iyad Allawi, the defence minister, said: "There is no place in the new Iraqi army for officers of Saddam's Republican Guard or those who have committed crimes against the Iraqi people."

[John Jorsett]

I have to say that this does not make us look like we know what we're doing.

[potlatch]

a former member of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard,

Are we surprised?? Wonder what they expected?

[Numbers Guy]

I have to say that this does not make us look like we know what we're doing.

Agreed. We chose to lie down with a dog in this case, and woke up with fleas.

[goodnesswins]

Well....they sure took care of that FAST.....

[John Jorsett]

SOrry about the screwed up link in the story. Click here instead.

[bonfire]

So we are supposed to believe they didn't know very much about him???

[John Jorsett]

Are we surprised?? Wonder what they expected?

I thought at least that they'd have had a sit-down with the guy and told him not to make any statements contradicting a US position without checking with us first. Or maybe they did and he just chose to proceed on his merry way regardless. Sigh.

[Texasforever]

It does look bad but it could have one other effect. This is one down and a new batter up. If he tanks then the case can be made that we gave it our best shot and then go back in full force.

[CatOwner]

Or maybe this general was purposely made an example of what happens if they stray to far from the desired goal. Well, at least the optimistic side of me can believe it was the plan. :)

[KQQL]

--

FIRED !

Gen Salehsaid: "There are no foreign fighters in Fallujah and the local tribal leaders have told me the same. "The reasons for the resistance go back to the American provocations, the raids and abolishing the army, which made Iraqis join the resistance."

[RBroadfoot]

As PFC Gomer Pyle would say, "Surprise, surprise!"

[mercy]

This is sickening. What a clusterf__k. George Bush is an amateur.

[mercy]

This society has no leaders. We only allow unichs to take power. We deserve whatever happens to us.

[lowbridge]

This is sickening. What a clusterf__k. George Bush is an amateur.

His next move will be appointing Osama Bin Laden as head of the Iraqi Air Force.

[potlatch]

Yes, he must have been a good talker to convince our people to use him!! Too bad, he could have been a help, now he won't be trusted for any job under our military.

[mickie]

I think Sadaam Husein(sp) will be released from prison and put in charge to restore peace in Iraq.
Nothing would surprise me anymore!

[Nonstatist]

We need to find a strongman and stick him in there. A former Prince or some such something or other.

[McGavin999]

No, it's the media that is making us look like we don't know what we're doing. The military has been saying from the start that this man hadn't been vetted yet. It's the media who jumped to conclusions.

[mercy]

No, we need to partion the country into three parts, protect the oil fields and let the bastards kill each other wholesale.