U.S. commander urges talks, sees Baghdad backlash

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070308/pl_nm/iraq_usa_general_dc;_ylt=AtBi.JM77bI6v0CZV1YoQzSs0NUE

U.S. commander urges talks, sees Baghdad backlash

By Ibon Villelabeitia 2 hours, 51 minutes ago

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The new U.S. commander in
Iraq said on Thursday military force would not end violence unless talks were held with some militant groups and warned of more "sensational attacks" during the current crackdown in Baghdad.

General David Petraeus, at his first news conference since he took command last month, also said he saw no immediate need for more U.S. troops, but reinforcements already requested would likely stay "well beyond the summer."

"There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq," Petraeus said.

"Military action is necessary to help improve security ... but it is not sufficient."

Political progress would require talking with "some of those who have felt the new Iraq did not have a place for them."

He said a key challenge for the Shi'ite-led government of Nuri al-Maliki was to identify those militant groups who were "reconcilable" and to bring them into the political process.

[HereSince1628]

1. And this is the guy who wrote the book on fighting insurgencies.

Theory meet reality, rubber meet road, and watch to see those tires don't roll over IED's

It sure didn't take long for him to be looking for a way to avoid his command getting blamed for the cesspool he finds himself swimming in.

[saigon68]

7. By kicking in doors and raping and killing14 year olds

You don't win the co-operation of the people.

By putting sand bags on people's heads and putting electric clips on the tips of their penises you reinforce the notion that you're Sub-human Thugs and Hoodlums

No Photos

[HereSince1628]

9. No kidding. And when you're occupying some elses country...one day you gotta leave

The BEEFEE objective of creating chaos has been achieved. The Great Game is once again in motion and it isn't between the US and Iraqi.

It's between those who control the wealth in the US, China, India and Europe.

[saigon68]

12. So true

And some hicks who like kicking in doors, are doing their part

[bemildred]

2. Soldiers do not "provide security". That is what police are for.

If you are using armed forces to "provide security", you have already screwed yourself.

[BOSSHOG]

4. Sadly

that is the case in New Orleans right now and probably will be for another couple of months. The state national guard is supplementing the police force and providing security operations. Very sad to see uniformed guardsmen in Army vehicles driving the streets of the Big Easy. You make an excellent point.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Now that's a catch-22 of the worst kind

bush, who has no leadership or managerial skills and has misguided and been a detriment to the military since he stole office, is being urged by a field commander to sit down and talk with the enemy. Something else he doesn't know how to do. I have no idea why we have a secretary of state or a state department. Diplomacy is as foreign to these criminals as honesty and integrity. I guess that's why they call it "foreign" "diplomacy." I'll be on the board all week.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Bosshog, the political-diplomatic solution

was the idea of Dems, some Repugs and the Iraq Study Group--Petraeus is late to this ball game. Expect to see the good general and BushCo steal every idea and talking point Dems have been making for months, and then take credit.

[BOSSHOG]

6. Agreed, but

if the bush administration intends to implement the plan themselves, they will fail. Its what they do best.

[Bandit]

8. But the USA does not talk with terrorist.......

Are you insinuating your Leader is wrong?

[rcdean]

10. Sweet Jesus! NOW he says that Hearts and Minds DO count?

What a discovery!

And just think how it only took 80% as long for the brass to learn the lesson this time as it did to learn it in Viet Nam.

Oh, I forgot. We actually never did learn it in Viet Nam.

Just how many dead soldiers does it take to teach a lesson to the American right wing and their hand-picked stooges in the Pentagon? Just how many???

[xchrom]

11. gasp!!! -- well -- who would have thought that?

:hi:

[lebkuchen]

13. a walking talking contradiction

Two weeks ago the Stripes headline quoted Petraeus: "This mission is doable"

He didn't include caveats then. Things must be bad over there.

[Hissyspit]

14. .