Rocky Path for Bush*: Effort to Remake Iraq Hits Roadblocks

[kskiska]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 — Everywhere he turns — from the United Nations and Congress to allied capitals and the warrens of Baghdad and Tikrit — President Bush is finding major obstacles to his effort to secure and rebuild Iraq.

The problems, ranging from money to troops to moral support, are complicating White House efforts to assure the American public that the situation in Iraq will actually improve with time.

On the ground, there has been a pause in the sort of major bombing attacks that shook the administration's confidence and forced troops to dig more trenches and put up more barricades, isolating themselves from the country they are occupying.

But now some defense officials are saying that the occupation force's state of siege, combined with continuing difficulties in restoring services in Baghdad, is making Iraqis increasingly hostile toward those who are supposed to be their liberators. And today, the eighth tape purporting to be from the deposed dictator, Saddam Hussein, surfaced, urging yet more attacks.

In addition, administration officials are admitting there may be an embarrassing lack of foreign donations to rebuild Iraq. European diplomats said today that the United States would be lucky to get $1 billion in pledges at a donors' conference in Madrid next month — about 10 percent of what the United States wanted, according to these officials.

more…
http://nytimes.com/2003/09/18/international/middleeast/18DIPL.html

[PartyPooper]

1. I hope he can't sleep at night.

He doesn't deserve any rest for what he's done.

:evilfrown:

[Skittles]

2. FAT CHANCE

that piece of slime has no conscience. He only cares about himself and his rich friends.

[Booberdawg]

3. 15 BILLION for NON-MILITARY activities???

"The donor disappointment is, in turn, stirring resentment in Congress over Mr. Bush's request for $87 billion in military and economic assistance to Iraq in 2004. Some lawmakers are saying one big chunk of the huge package, the $15 billion earmarked for non-military activities, may be especially scrutinized, especially if donations from other countries are only a fraction of that sum."

15 BILLION for NON-MILITARY activities??? WTF is THAT all about?? No more secrecy from these boneheads or bullshit from Rummy - I want to know where every penny is going or refuse to authorize these funds. PERIOD.

[cliss]

4. It's interesting the logic

that went into "selling" this war. As they were planning the war, the argument probably went, "this is a good thing, actually. All the money will go right back to the United States". So, this is a positive thing for our economy. The "rising tide" theory.

That's how he could stand up in front of all of us and spin like he did.

[CHIMO]

5. Well

What goes around comes around.

He should have thought before he kicked the sand at the whimp.