Armitage says U.S. retains initiative in war; ambush kills 2 paratroopers
By Slobodan Lekic, Associated Press, 11/8/2003 16:22
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) A senior U.S. official insisted on Saturday that the U.S. military has the upper hand in the escalating war in Iraq, on a day when two paratroopers died in a roadside ambush and the international Red Cross said it was closing two main offices due to deteriorating security.
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage described Iraq as a ''war zone,'' but noted that ''we have the momentum in this process.''
''I'm absolutely convinced we have a very solid plan to go out and get these people who are killing us and killing Iraqis,'' he told reporters during a visit to Iraq.
The sharp rise in the number of attacks against the troops of the U.S.-led coalition and their allies in the Iraqi security services, and the guerrillas' apparent ability to strike at will, has prompted fears that the initiative in the conflict is slipping from the coalition's hands. (snip/...)
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/312/world/Armitage_says_U_S_retains_init:.shtml