Failure in Iraq Would Have ‘Enormous’ Consequences, Gates Says

American Forces Press Service ^ | John J. Kruzel

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2007 – Failure in Iraq would empower extremists and have “enormous” consequences for the Middle East and the United States, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today during his appearance on two television news talk shows.

Appearing on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace and This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Gates said the consequences of failure is a forgotten theme in Washington’s debate about Iraq.

“No matter how you feel about how we got to where we are, the consequences of getting this wrong for Iraq, for the region, for us, are enormous,” he told said.

Gates noted that Islamic extremists were emboldened after they successfully helped defeat the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s. U.S. failure in Iraq, the secretary said, would hand over a similar ideological victory to extremists fighting coalition forces today.

“If (extremists) were to be seen or claim a victory over us in Iraq, it would be far, far more empowering in the region than the defeat of the Soviet Union,” he said. “Everyone is focused on timetables … (but) what I think people also need to be talking about are the consequences of getting this thing wrong.”

The secretary addressed a recent proposal to equalize the amount of time troops spend deployed in Iraq and at home. Gates called the initiative “a well-intentioned idea,” but said that ultimately such measures would cause force management problems and strain the National Guard and Reserves.

If enacted, the proposal would limit flexibility, Gates said. The U.S. military would be forced to “cobble together” units from smaller elements with no prior experience training together, it would create gaps and might require more National Guard and Reserve members be deployed to fill shortages. Under the proposal, units might be pulled out before replacements arrive, eliminating the overlap time when experienced troops help prepare new arrivals, Gates added.

Gates reinforced a position put forward by President Bush, who said yesterday that his guiding principle on troop levels is “return on success.”

“The drawdowns have to be based on the conditions on the ground,” he said.

Assuming conditions in Iraq allow drawdowns, he said, the U.S. could remain there for a “protracted period of time” as a stabilizing force. Gates declined to define exactly how many troops a stabilizing force would necessitate, but he said it would be “a fraction” of today’s figures.

The precise form, troop level and mission of a long-term U.S. security force would be negotiated with Iraqi government leaders, he added, noting that the U.S. force’s purpose in its role to counter terrorism, guard Iraq’s border, and provide support and training to Iraq’s security forces likely would adhere to the principles outlined by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group headed by James A. Baker and Lee H. Hamilton.

Speaking about the current state of Iraqi politics, Gates said there is evidence that political reconciliation is occurring despite legislative stalls on key issues, including oil revenue sharing and debaathification reform.

“You’re seeing the government actually share the revenues from the oil, you’re seeing provincial empowerment, you’re seeing former members of Saddam’s army being brought back into the army,” he said. “So you’re seeing some of the steps that would have resulted from the passage of these laws.”

Gates said issues that are too difficult to find widespread agreement within Iraq’s legislative bodies are addressed first in piecemeal fashion. This approach sometimes occurs in the United States, he added.

“Some of these issues that are too hard, in many respects, politically get taken care of in small bites,” he said. “Then you reach a certain point where you’re able to codify it.”

[SandRat]

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[Grimmy]

Thank you, sir.

Semper Fi

Ad Triarios Redisse!

[freekitty]

Subject: Fw: Fwd: I Am Coming!

I don’t know who put this together, but I sure would like to shake his hand, pat him on the back, and wish him, “Good Hunting!”

I Am Coming!

Dear Terrorists,
I am a Navy Aviator. I was born and raised in a small town in New England. I come from a family of five. I was raised in a middle class home and taught my values by my mother and father.

My dad worked a series of jobs in finance and my mom took care of us kids. We were not an overly religious family but attended church most Sundays. It was a nice small Episcopal Church. I have a brother and
sister and I am the youngest in my family. I was the first in many generations to attend college.

I have flown Naval aircraft for 16 years. For me the flying was never a lifelong dream or a “calling,” it just happened. I needed a job and I liked the challenge. I continue to do it today because I feel it is important to give back to a nation which has given so much to me. I do it because, although I will never be rich, my family will be comfortable.

I do it because many of my friends have left for the airlines and someone has to do it.

My government has spent millions to train me to fly these
multi-million dollar aircraft. I make about 70,000 dollars a year and after 20 years will be offered a pension.

I like baseball but think the players make too much money. I am in awe of firemen and policemen and what they do each day for my community, and like teachers, they just don’t get paid enough.

I respect my elders and always use sir or ma’am when addressing a stranger. I’m not sure about kids these days but I think that’s normal for every generation.

I tell you all this because when I come for you, I want you to know me. I won’t be hiding behind a woman or a child. I won’t be disguised or pretending to be something I am not. I will be in a U.S. issue flight suit. I will be wearing standard US issue flight gear, and I will be flying a navy aircraft clearly marked as a US warplane. I wish we could
meet up close in a small room where I could wrap my hands around your throat and slowly squeeze the life out of you, but unfortunately, you’re hiding in a hole in the ground, so we will have to do this a different way.

I want you to know also that I am very good at what I do. I can put a 2,000 lb. weapon through a window from 10,000 feet up. I generally only fly at night, so you may want to start sleeping during the day. I am not eager to die for my country but I am willing to sacrifice my life to protect it from animals like you.

I will do everything in my power to ensure no civilians are hurt as I take aim at you.

My countrymen are a forgiving bunch. Many are already forgetting what you did on Sept 11th. But I will not forget!!

I am coming. I hope you know me a little bit better, see you soon...sleep tight.

Signed

A U.S. Navy Pilot

Our Soldiers are one

of our greatest assets!

God Bless

In God We Trust and God Bless The U. S.A.

[Grizzled Bear]

That’s awesome!

Thanks for sharing!

[freekitty]

You are welcome and I thought it was too.