Posted on 05/28/2004 9:16:55 AM PDT by Pikamax
RUNNING OUT THE CLOCK
By RALPH PETERS
May 28, 2004 -- IT'S easy to tell when terrorists and thugs are near defeat: They ask for a cease-fire. It's just as simple to tell when the diplomats have overruled our military: We agree to the proposed cease-fire.
And stop short of victory again.
Despite President Bush's assurances at the U.S. Army War College on Monday night, we still don't have a detailed plan to get us past the June 30 transfer of power. But if we don't have a strategy, our enemies — in Iraq, the greater Middle East and Europe — certainly do.
From Muqtada al-Sadr to Jacques Chirac, they hope to run out the clock before we can win.
Sadr's insurrection turned disastrous for him. His shabby legions are broken or dead, his influence has fallen from minor to trivial status, and he could hear a slamming cell door in his future (maybe those photos from Abu Ghraib had an upside, after all). So, emulating the terrorists in Fallujah, he struck a deal to save himself from our troops.
So much for our refusal to negotiate with terrorists. Our diplomats and bureaucrats are tumbling over each other to cut deals with those who kill our soldiers, slaughter civilians and hope to derail the future of Iraq. Congratulations, guys.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
True and false. It's great to crush enemies, but by allowing the Iraqis to get involved we show them some respect and our forces are still there to provide ultimate security if called upon.
He is not popular except with his own people, the few that are left, and especially with the other muslim clerics. the new Iraqi government with pick him up within days of June 30 and used as an example. Just my prediction
He would be useful for that. Sounds like a plan!
The UN representative, Brahimi, is selecting the new, sovereign, interim Iraqi government. We have dismissed the idea that the new government will ask us to leave, but stated that we would leave is asked. Perhaps, something slightly more subtle is likely to happen.
Brahimi and the UN are no friends of George Bush. Suppose the new government, with a little advice and assistance from the French were to require that US forces operating in Iraq must be under Iraqi command? We have said that is not acceptable. Bush could either refuse and begin to withdraw prior to the election or he could agree, and reverse the US decision and long tradition of not allowing such command structures.
Either decision will hurt politically. The UN, France, Germany, the EU all want Bush out of office. Could this be a political trap set by the UN and "old Europe" with a compliant new Iraqi government to assure that Al Kerry wins?
BUMP
I don't think that scenario is very likely, the Iraqis know they needs America's checkbook to rebuild and the Iraqi Governing Council knows they need America's military to stay alive. Self preservation can make one persuaded quite easily.
Wrong. It's the New York Post.
Like Emily Latella: "Well, that's different. Nevermind."
"Either decision will hurt politically. The UN, France, Germany, the EU all want Bush out of office. Could this be a political trap set by the UN and "old Europe" with a compliant new Iraqi government to assure that Al Kerry wins?"
No.
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