Myers, Rumsfeld Eye to Eye on Internationalizing Iraq Mission

Armed Forces Press Service ^ | 9/4/03 | Kathleen T. Rhem

[TastyManatees]

Myers, Rumsfeld Eye to Eye on Internationalizing Iraq Mission
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2003 – U.S. military leaders have no reason to try to "go around" civilian defense leaders to make policy, because Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and other leaders take their generals' advice, the top American general said here today.

Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, took to the airwaves today to refute a Washington Post article that contended he and Vice Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace conspired with Secretary of State Colin Powell to get President Bush to rule against Rumsfeld in requesting a U.N. resolution on Iraq.

"The article just totally mischaracterizes the process that we go through in this government to come to any sort of conclusion on any subject," Myers said in an impromptu press conference on the steps of the Pentagon.

The chairman explained that his charge, as well as that of the rest of the Joint Chiefs, is to give advice to senior civilian leaders, including Rumsfeld and the president. "They listen to our advice, and we have a great dialogue," Myers said. "Any hint that anybody in the United States military … is going around the civilian chain of command to get things done is absolutely false."

Speaking at the State Department, Powell echoed the chairman's comments. "The (Washington Post) story can't be characterized as inaccurate, because it is absolute fiction – total fiction," Powell said in a press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. "It didn't happen, and there was no need for any such collusion."

At issue is the administration's seemingly changing course on wanting a U.N. resolution to provide a larger international security force in Iraq. Not so, Myers contends – a large international presence has always been the U.S. goal in Iraq.

"You've heard the secretary say we want an international effort," Myers said. "(And) you've heard him say we have an international effort." The chairman noted there nearly 40 countries provide security forces in Iraq, and others provide forces and support in other areas.

Powell said the idea of a further Security Council resolution has been floating among national security officials for "many, many weeks."

Furthermore, Myers said, there was no reason for the Joint Chiefs to try to outsmart Rumsfeld and other defense civilian leaders, because he and the secretary have always agreed on this issue. "I don't think there has been any daylight (between) the secretary and myself on this issue," he said. "No daylight."

The issue of security in Iraq is complicated by the fact that the situation varies greatly from one region of the country to another. "In the south – very stable; in the north – very stable," Myers explained. "It's in the Baghdad area to Tikrit, … that's where the issue is. So … we can't say Iraq's security situation is all going to heck in a hand basket; that is not the situation."

Several factors lead to a need for more international troops, as opposed to increasing numbers of American forces. "It has a lot to do with the Iraqi people and how they perceive coalition forces in there," Myers said. "And I think the last thing we want is for them to believe this is a mission of the United States.

"It's much bigger than that. It already is an international effort, and we want it to be an international effort," he added. "It's so important for the international community to pull together on this."

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You're so wrong.

I'd go so far as to say that there is probably not another group in history who could have done such an outstanding job as these troops and these military leaders are doing in Iraq today.

I would suggest that you find a socialist dreamland and move where you can spin your fairy tales to a uninformed audience.

Myers said, there was no reason for the Joint Chiefs to try to outsmart Rumsfeld and other defense civilian leaders, because he and the secretary have always agreed on this issue. "I don't think there has been any daylight (between) the secretary and myself on this issue," he said. "No daylight."

Press surpassing it's destructive self these days. Gen. Myers, SOD Rumsfeld, Gen. Pace, Amb. Bremer and SOS Powell - along with the President - have NOT changed their mind or their plans.

Anyone who covers the war for a major publication and doesn't bother to verify facts or listen to the experts, doesn't even read the previous briefings or follow those who run the war and fight the war - and have been telling the truth from the start - has no business holding that mighty pen, covering a life and death situation, endangering OUR troops.<*/rant*>

8 Separate forces, one coalition - CENTCOM  | 8/10/03 | Pfc. Blanka Stratford
8 Wald Says Changed World Drives EUCOM Transformation [over 6,400 terrorists arrested post-911, EUCOM theater alone] - DoD | 8/06/03 | Gerry J. Gilmore
8  We are not alone, after all.
8 Learn More about the Largest Coalition Ever Built - CENTCOM

---

8 Unapologetically Pro-Coalition News Links and Articles

My last rant of the day.

If you want on or off my pro-Coalition/anti-wanker ping list, just Freepmail me.

[Calpernia]

Do I smell an DUer?

[Calpernia]

Signed up 9-2-03

[FairOpinion]

It isn't Myers and Rumsfeld. It's Powell and the State Dept -- AGAIN. Read this article & the one it refers to:

Powell denies conspiracy to outwit Pentagon over new UN resolution on Iraq

[Calpernia]

Need some more lightening here

[Radix]

I wonder just what liberal news entity it is that you really work for!

[WOSG]

WECLOME TO FR, NEWBIE.

"Well after rumsfeld has completely fubar'ed things over there I guess they are begging for the UN to come in and share the disgust. Watch, wait, see and learn as this will be the bush administration waterloo."

Poppycock. After a huge victory that liberated Iraq from the clutches of the Saddam Hussein dictatorship, we have managed to put together a country that was destroyed through 35 years of hellish repression. All the doom and gloom predictions made about the US were wrong.

Saddam killed literally millions of people, and the remnants of his evil regime and his terrorist allies are willing to kill more 'soft targets' to attempt to destabilize Iraqi reconstruction.

But that attempt is failing. Iraq each day is getting better.

" Back in my day we didn't declare combat over until it was over."

[Radix]

Listen, enough of my strong rhetoric. I willing to bet you $20.00, a donation here to free republic, that George Bush will not be the president of the united states after the next election.

I'd be willing to give you 100 to one odds on that bet.

Unfortunately, I have seen enough of you out here already in this one thread to know that I could never trust you with my real name or e-mail addy.

Bush is going to win 50 states next year! You saw it written here first!

[WOSG]

Really? According to antiwar.com (hardly a pro-Bush site), 69 American servicemen have died due to terrorist attacks since the end of major ground combat operations. Prior to the end of combat operations, 115 died in combat. To achieve the outcome you have stated, one would have to count soldiers who died in car accidents and of existing medical conditions. A little dishonest, to say the least.

Since WHEN has lack of truth stopped the critics of the President???

[WOSG]

"I willing to bet you $20.00, a donation here to free republic, that George Bush will not be the president of the united states after the next election."

Your on.

Print you real name, location, and part affiliation.

[WOSG]

I'd go so far as to say that there is probably not another group in history who could have done such an outstanding job as these troops and these military leaders are doing in Iraq today.

SO TRUE! Manage to depose a murderous tyrannical regime that supported terrorists with fewer casualties than ANY critic predicted and still they whine!

[Soaring Feather]

Good last rant Rags. bttt

[CyberAnt]

"to exit quietly"

please take your own advice!!

[McGavin999]

The problem is, most of the "journalists" today are rank amatures. They are people who wouldn't have even been allowed to SELL papers a couple of decades ago, let alone WRITE for one.

They have been allowed to take a once proud profession and make it into the Mickey Mouse Show.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[windchime]

"Press surpassing it's destructive self these days."


Big bump to that, RC!

[Valin]

Interesting rebuttal to press accounts of a split between military and civilian leaders.


Gee it's so hard to decide who's telling the truth. Don Rumsfeld, Dick Myers, Colin Powell, or the Washington Post. Boy I'm going to have to sleep on this one.

[Valin]

James_Holloway Nobody by that name.

farewell Jimmy we hardly knew ye.

[PhilDragoo]

For James_Holloweenie, Wesley Clark and other Keyboard Clymers

The Hollow Men

T. S. Eliot (1925)

I

We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats' feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without colour,
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death's other Kingdom
Remember us -- if at all -- not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men.

~~~

Now we see the New York Times is joined by the Washington Post on the Fiction list.

Coalition heroes make historic inroads
Causing consternation in the soulless leftist toads
The hollow men object
But cannot hold back freedom's flood

And no, Wesley, your dike will not suffice.

[Soaring Feather]

My gosh that poem is amazing. Thanks much.