U.S. Bans Travel of Officials Outside of Green Zone

BAGHDAD — The United States on Tuesday suspended all land travel by U.S. diplomats and other civilian officials in Iraq outside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, amid mounting public outrage over the alleged killing of civilians by the U.S. Embassy's security provider Blackwater USA.

The move came even as the Iraqi government appeared to back down from statements Monday that it had permanently revoked Blackwater's license and would order its 1,000 personnel to leave the country — depriving American diplomats of security protection essential to operating in Baghdad.

"We are not intending to stop them and revoke their license indefinitely but we do need them to respect the law and the regulation here in Iraq," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told CNN.

The U.S. order confines most American officials to a 3.5-square-mile area in the center of the city, meaning they cannot visit U.S.-funded construction sites or Iraqi officials elsewhere in the country except by helicopter. The notice did not say when the suspension would expire.

The Iraqi Cabinet decided Tuesday to review the status of all foreign security companies. Still, it was unclear how the dispute would play out, given the government's need to appear resolute in defending national sovereignty while maintaining its relationship with Washington at a time when U.S. public support for the mission is faltering.

I understand that happens when an employer is involved in litigation.

Oh, Blackwater is not my employer! LOL

As I said, I can't really discuss this because there are too many things in flux right now.

But I do want to make the distinction that Blackwater is NOT some "innocent victim" here. Not in any way. And the Iraqi government is not out of line.

I understand and came across a bit harsh. The reason why I don't like comparisons to WWII is that Germany and Japan knew they were defeated. We hit them with overwhelming force, and we had extensive plans to cover numerous outcomes. There was no doubt in their minds that they got the **** kicked out of them.

Iraq on the other hand, while some parts (Baghdad, etc.) were hit with overwhelming force, there were large parts of the country that were relatively untouched by us until much later on in the occupation. It's easy to say the 4th ID was held up by Turkey, etc., and I'm not saying we needed to lay waste to everything, it's just that we needed to show the Iraqi people that we were firmly in charge, and that didn't happen in some parts of Iraq until much later on. It's no coincidence that Iraqis in those parts were the first to resist us and lay the groundwork for insurgents to come in and take over. We should have went in with a lot more troops, and after 9/11, we should have boosted the size of the military.

Furthermore, we should have prepared for several outcomes - instead, based on their actions, and comments President Bush and others have made, it sounded like the administration planned on one or two outcomes - with the main being Saddam holing up in Baghdad or somewhere similar, with whatever was left of his military, fighting it out until the end, etc.

I will admit, that had that scenario of Saddam and his military pulling a Custer's Last Stand and being annihilated by us played out, that would have given the Iraqi people the clear sign that we ruled the roost. Instead, the Iraqi military faded away in some cases, with large units (and their bases) being untouched by us for a while. We'll never know how many, but I know a lot of Americans were killed by munitions from bases we didn't secure until well after the initial invasion. A friend's son said they were finding munitions from a specific base that we initially left alone, well over a year after the invasion, in a completely different part of Iraq, with indications that many munitions from several bases were quietly moved all over Iraq well after the invasion was over.

Enough of my ranting and sorry for the off-topic post.

Well, I believe one of the rules of counter insurgency states: People must have confidence in the new government, that it will protect them and provide the things Government is SUPPOSED to provide (in western society), and for sure protecting the lives of its citizens is at the very most basic in terms of services provided. It the people don’t perceive that the Government is doing that, then they will NOT support the government. In order for the US to get out of Iraq, and for the Iraqi Government to stand on its own, the people have to support it. I believe that the “Blackwater” event is all part of that, Blackwater will suffer short term, but in the long run, they will still provide what they do in Iraq, its just going to get toned down a LOT. Ironically I think this will increase the security of the country as a whole.

Too bad the MSM doesn’t see this simple logic, all they see is an opportunity for headlines that exacerbate the situation rather than make it overall better. But what can we expect? Intelligence from the MSM, the Universe would end!

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