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Hussein may mass his military in major cities
SF Chronicle ^ | 8-8-02 | Greg Miller, John Hendren LA Times

Posted on 08/08/2002 6:34:12 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

Edited on 04/13/2004 2:40:41 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

Washington -- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has told regional government officials that he aims to thwart any U.S. invasion by avoiding open desert fighting and massing his military in major cities where civilian and American casualties would be highest, current and former U.S. intelligence officials said.


(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cities; hussein; iraq; military; saddam
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1 posted on 08/08/2002 6:34:12 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Saddam reprises the Salah Shehadeh "human shields" strategy. Film at 11.
2 posted on 08/08/2002 6:35:59 AM PDT by goldstategop
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
"I don't think Hussein would survive long," said one former CIA official with extensive experience in the region. "But that's the problem: We don't know what the breaking point is for his supporters. Does a solid month of B-52 strikes do it, or do we need people on the ground?"

Are they willing to die for Saddam? You need good human intel.

3 posted on 08/08/2002 6:37:29 AM PDT by demlosers
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To: goldstategop
And the down side is?
4 posted on 08/08/2002 6:38:20 AM PDT by Hunble
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To: Hunble
America gets condemned for the wanton slaughter of Iraqi civilians. Saddam hopes to abort a war even before it begins.
5 posted on 08/08/2002 6:39:16 AM PDT by goldstategop
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
This is great. We march in, take over the oil fields, pump oil like crazy, and wait for the civilian population to rise up and overthrough Saddam and his cronies or starve to death.

All we have to do is contain them in their cities. Anyone that sticks their head out without a white flag with Saddams head on the end of it, loses theirs.
6 posted on 08/08/2002 6:39:45 AM PDT by mikesmad
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Just one very cool, awesome word:

STRATOFORTRESS!!!!!


7 posted on 08/08/2002 6:40:41 AM PDT by Long Cut
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
"..he's no general."
8 posted on 08/08/2002 6:40:55 AM PDT by Stentor
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To: goldstategop
massing his military in major cities where civilian and American casualties would be highest

Using cities as shields what a pussy. He's gonna hide behind all the women and children.

9 posted on 08/08/2002 6:41:03 AM PDT by demlosers
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Makes it easy to set up airbases INSIDE Iraq, which would greatly lessen the logistical tails, and ease some of the diplomacy with his neighbors supplying us bases.
10 posted on 08/08/2002 6:44:46 AM PDT by lepton
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To: demlosers
""...what a pussy. He's gonna hide behind all the women and children."

He's an ARAB - can we expect anything less?

11 posted on 08/08/2002 6:45:32 AM PDT by Bill Rice
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To: goldstategop
America gets condemned for the wanton slaughter of Iraqi civilians. Saddam hopes to abort a war even before it begins.

The US will have a decision to make: Do make the cities a battleground like Saddam wants or play the waiting game and cut off all access to the cities including power ect...

We'll probably choose the waiting game.

12 posted on 08/08/2002 6:45:45 AM PDT by demlosers
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To: mikesmad
I think you have the right idea.
No need to go into the cities. Just hang out outside, don't allow anyone/anything out or in, including food, and take over the oil fields as the price for continuing to support Hussein.

Eventually, someone will walk out with Saddam's head on a pike. At that point, they can have their country back.

13 posted on 08/08/2002 6:46:03 AM PDT by MrB
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Military analysts consider it likely that U.S. soldiers would face chemical or biological weapons if they fought an urban battle in Baghdad because Hussein would have little to lose.

Except his own soldiers, and their families.

14 posted on 08/08/2002 6:46:07 AM PDT by lepton
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To: mikesmad
Yeah... let 'em have the cities... won't help them in the least... we just wait them out. I mean, where would they get food once they run out? Where would they get fuel once they run out? Where will they get water once they run out? Yeah.... let 'em have Baghdad and the other cities... they'll fall eventually... Saddam's troops and equipment won't do them any good when they are dropping like flies from starvation and dehydration...

Then we'll see how much fighting spirit they have left... :0)

15 posted on 08/08/2002 6:47:51 AM PDT by Chad Fairbanks
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To: goldstategop
America will get condemned even if we farted in the general direction.

If an army hides behind the skirts of women and children, do not be surprized if they get killed in the process.

This is their choice, and the blood will be on their hands, not ours.

Civilized people try to protect women and children, and fight battles in locations to prevent innocent deaths.

When cowards hide behind them, they are 100% responsible for their murder. And yes, murder is the correct term.

16 posted on 08/08/2002 6:48:41 AM PDT by Hunble
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Does a solid month of B-52 strikes do it, or do we need people on the ground?"

Well, a solid month is a good start, Let's Roll!

17 posted on 08/08/2002 6:48:43 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Can we PLEASE start the air war NOW!!! What the hell are we waiting for...
18 posted on 08/08/2002 6:48:56 AM PDT by Nexus
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To: MrB
No need to go into the cities. Just hang out outside, don't allow anyone/anything out or in, including food, and take over the oil fields as the price for continuing to support Hussein. Eventually, someone will walk out with Saddam's head on a pike.

Good point. Let the people walk out when they get hungry. We can wait.

19 posted on 08/08/2002 6:50:23 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: Chad Fairbanks
Then we'll see how much fighting spirit they have left

They don't have any fighting spirit now. Just like in the Gulf War at least half would surrender immediately upon invasion. The only die hards are the ones that depend totally on Saddam for their lives and livelihood. Some of those could be convinced that Saddam is not necessary for that.
20 posted on 08/08/2002 6:51:35 AM PDT by mikesmad
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