Richardson: U.S. Troops Contribute To Sectarian Violence in Iraq

Albuquerque Journal ^ | Nedra Pickler

[Rogle]

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson said today that the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq has contributed to the sectarian violence rather than bringing stability to the war-torn nation.

"There's no question there's tribal and ethnic hatreds," Richardson told The Associated Press. "But when those tribal and ethnic hatreds are fueled by American policy of hostility, then you make the situation worse."

In an interview with AP editors and reporters, the New Mexico governor argued that all combat and non-combat troops should be removed from Iraq because their presence is only contributing to violence.

"It's not a guarantee of success, my plan, but at least it's stability," Richardson said.

"American foreign policy is being bled dry by the invasion of Iraq," he said.

Iraq was the primary topic of Richardson's hourlong interview, but he discussed several other issues as well.

[Rogle]

"It's not a guarantee of success, my plan, but at least it's stability," Richardson said.

Well I guess once each faction kill off each other faction stability can be declared.

[Rogle]

NM Ping

[pgyanke]

It’s really sad that a desire for stability over victory actually gets a hearing from a presidential candidate...

[dirtboy]

Funny, there was much worse sectarian violence after Tito's death and the subsequent breakup of Yugoslavia, and US troops weren't even in the area for the first years of that.

I think what we are seeing in Iraq is similar to what happened in Yugo - the sectarian violence was held in check by a despot, the despot falls, old scores are settled, and then the region calms down once the ledgers are balanced.

[Pan_Yan]

I'm glad that after thousands of years of tribal warfare, slavery and ethnic slaughter the residents of the Middle East finally know who is responsible for inciting the violence.

American troops.

[Loud Mime]

The alternative to sectarian violence is genocide.

[Baladas]

“But when those tribal and ethnic hatreds are fueled by American policy of hostility, then you make the situation worse.”

Reconquista Richardson, where he goes, so does Mexico.

[Hoffer Rand]

Well, at least our troops aren’t picking on fat people in Iraq.

[DoughtyOne]

I’ve been waiting for a guy like Richardson to come along. Now here’s a guy who truly understands.

Over the next year I expect to see crime in New Mexico drop to zero, as all police forces across the state are disbanded.

Just think of the possibilities...

We can stop all crime if only the FBI would knock it off. Close down shop guys.

While we’re at it, Israel could finally achieve peace in the Middle-East. All it would have to do is lay down arms and bulldoze that damned wall.

And here all I thought this guy was good for was chauffeuring around Presidential cigar holders, looking for work.

[Rogle]

Well of course not that would be discrimination. MMM maybe we could ship the NM Blimp to Iraq.

[DoughtyOne]

There’s always got to be one astute analyst in the crowd...

Heh heh heh!

[pgyanke]

I love this statement on Israel and Arab violence...

If the Arabs disarmed, there would be no more violence. If Israel disarmed, there would be no more Israel.

[rhombus]

"But when those tribal and ethnic hatreds are fueled by American policy of hostility, then you make the situation worse."

American policy of hostility? That's absurd nonsense. Maybe Richardson would like to visit. Perhaps he'd like to explain his policy of peace, love and understanding to the head choppers. Well OK, I'll admit it. I'm the one who like him to do that.

[DoughtyOne]

It is a gem to be sure. It’s the only answer to folks who continue to caste Israel as the bad guy.

Israel has Palestinians living in it’s midst. They live normal lives. Israelis who live in settlements near the Palestinians are under constant attack.

Palestinians come into Israel to work. The Israelis let them pass and work in peace.

Imagine two Israelis trying to work in Gaza or the West Bank.

[Rogle]

Well he did say later in the article that he wanted to lift the trade embargo with Cuba, guess he and big Bill haven’t had a decent cigar show or properly prepared cigar since their stint in the WH.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

It’s all CYA maneuvering by the dems to shift the blame for what happens if they’re successful in getting the troops pulled out!

[Hoffer Rand]

I agree. He could light campfires and have everyone hold hands and sing kum ba ya, while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. And everyone would be so touched by charity toward their fellow man, that Coke would want to make a commercial "I'd like to teach the world to sing..." Who knows, we might even get the real source of the hostility, the American soldiers, to join in.

*sniff* Why didn't somebody think of this before? It's SO easy....

[Pan_Yan]

Maybe Richardson would like to visit.

If you throw a liberal in a cave and tell him that conservatives firmly believe that the cave is full of hungry lion's he will deny the existence of those lions with his last breath while being torn assunder.

[billmor]

Yep...which also translates to: even if it is unsuccessful, it is stability...now where does that logic lead to- unsuccessful?..leads to chaos-meaning sectarian violence, and Iran,Turkey and Syria all jumping into Iraq to carve it up and take over it’s oil production facilities and put the hapless Iraqi’s under total Sharia Law...if that results in genocide....oh well...

that’s some plan Richardson has...keep him in New Mexico and give him a broom.

[greyfoxx39]

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