IRAQ VP Says They Will Show Captured Coalition Troops

Reuters, AP | 3/23/03

[Wthrman13]

"Our army should not be walking on egg shells in this military campaign, as portrayed in the fire fight in Umm Qasr. That whole area should have been reduced to rubble 5 minutes after it was discovered that there was going to be resistance.
"

I'm not sure why so many people seem to be casting that skirmish in such a negative light. Frankly it is somewhat depressing. I thought they did a fine job. First of all, as the marine in the interview said, the situation escalated rapidly. They were not sure what kind of resistance they were under, initially probably thinking it was a few people holed up in the building that they could take care of with tanks. You don't need to call in CAS for such a situation. However, after it became clear that the resistance could be worse, they indeed did the proper thing and called in CAS. So what if it took 4 hours. Nobody's in any hurry over there. The fact that this platoon of marines was able to exercise such restraint and caution and still emerge the victors when they could have easily canvassed the area with a massive air strike IMO shows the professionalism of the people involved and the fact that they had the situation entirely under control and able to be dictated on their own terms.

Also, the fact that there existed this resistance does not mean that the city wasn't taken. Taking the city means you have overall control of what is going on in the city, and even from the start of this skirmish, the Marines were in complete control: remember, they fired first!

[lainde]

I don't understand why the TV station is still on...And if it is why don't they take it out while that Republican Guard minister of Info is spewing forth his lies! Talk about a target of opportunity.

[WarSlut]

Gvien the Iraqis' lousy production values, I'm expecting sock puppets. Or Scott Ritter in a false mustache.

[WarSlut]

How many Marines did we lose in that fight?

Zero?

And we subdued the enemy forces?

And everything's cool now?

Excellent job, Marines. Your country is damn proud this morning.

[GLDNGUN]

Can you imagine how the Marines are going to react if they execute the prisoners ?

There ARE no prisoners, unless they are the "human panty shields". If Iraq executes those idiots, they have only themselves to blame.

[oceanperch]

Has the Palenstinian suicide bombers been quiet or is the news stories not covering them right now. Also have not heard a peep out of the Daffy Duck fan from N. Korea.

[Wthrman13]

I completely agree, although I'm not sure if you were agreeing with my assessment or not. Just to clarify, I was commending the Marine platoon on a job well done.

[GLDNGUN]

I don't understand why the TV station is still on...And if it is why don't they take it out while that Republican Guard minister of Info is spewing forth his lies! Talk about a target of opportunity.

I would guess it is still on, so WE can use it when we get there. Also, they are not going to take it out with a bunch of journalists there. It may be irritating to watch their little show, although a lot find it high comedy, it really is not doing much harm.

[Joe_October]

It could be those British Air men who were hit by the Patriot. Not a good thing that they were captured but not the worst if they are alive.

[guitfiddlist]

Will this be where those American uniforms get used that Iraq purchased???

And where will they get the prisoners?:

"Yes, I am prisoner...I from Saint Louis, Virginia. Iraq treat good prisoners..we watch basketball squadrons play on TV."

[GLDNGUN]

If there was any way the Allies could assasinate SH, they would and what better way to track him if he comes out of his bunker, just for the world press

Are you following this war? Saddam is likely dead or seriously wounded. EVEN if he wasn't, he would never, ever, come out in public like that.

However if they do kill him, is there a reason to stay in Iraq ? Oh yes the Oil wells

Huh? We have some dismantling of some WMD to do, and find out what other fun stuff Saddam has been up to. Also, we are not going to just flea, leaving a mess and the possibility of another Saddam taking over. What war have you been watching?

Soldiers of both sides have familes, do you think if they save the oil (which the normal Iraqi would never get any finacial reward from) that they would be happy if you have just killed their son, brother or father

You're either up way too late or way too early. Get some sleep.

[goldstategop]

Could be he's a DU dummy. You never know.

[GLDNGUN]

It could be those British Air men who were hit by the Patriot. Not a good thing that they were captured but not the worst if they are alive.

I believe this happened in Kuwait, or near the border. I don't know how they would have recovered flyers from there, when we've already taken control. Besides, those are BRITISH flyers and the Iraqis are saying they have AMERICAN POWs

[Kate22]

They said 'coalition troops' - that could be British.

[GLDNGUN]

Note the sources: Reuters, AP

They have lost ALL credibility by being willing to post this obvious lie.

Remember that when you look at their bylines in the future.

Ease up, man. They are simply reporting what the Iraqi VP said. Were they not supposed to say anything? They simply said the Iraqi VP claims that he will show American POWSs on tape later today. This is also being reported on every channel covering the war. Everyone knows it is propoganda. Nobody is claiming this is legit.

[GLDNGUN]

Has the Palenstinian suicide bombers been quiet or is the news stories not covering them right now. Also have not heard a peep out of the Daffy Duck fan from N. Korea

Nope, no suicide bombers in Israel; however, NK is starting to make some noise. This guy obviously has a death wish. Didn't he just see how we can hit a thumbtack with a smart bomb?

[oceanperch]

Sock Puppets.... LOL

[Dutchgirl]

Your country is damn proud this morning.

Homeschool ditto. Let's get our facts AND priority straight.

[GLDNGUN]

And where will they get the prisoners?:

"Yes, I am prisoner...I from Saint Louis, Virginia. Iraq treat good prisoners..we watch basketball squadrons play on TV."

LOL. I'm still holding out hope it will be some human panty shield. Can't you just picture some punk with a pink mohawk, tattoos, and a nose ring wearing a uniform 3 sizes to big for him? "Mommy! Help me! WAAAAAA!"

[oceanperch]

Or someone waking up from being strung out on heroin for a couple of days and relize oh crap this ain't Seattle toto.