Iraq sees need for foreign troops for 10 years

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Iraq sees need for foreign troops for 10 years
Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:33am EST

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq will need foreign troops
to help defend it for another 10 years, but will not
accept U.S. bases indefinitely, government
spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.

"Of course we need international support. We have
security problems. For 10 years our army will not be
able to defend Iraq," Dabbagh told the state-run
al-Iraqiya television in an interview broadcast late
on Sunday.

"I do not think that there is a threat of an invasion
of Iraq, or getting involved in a war. (But) to protect
Iraqi sovereignty there must be an army to defend
Iraq for the next 10 years," he said.

"But on the other hand, does Iraq accept the
permanent existence of U.S. bases, for instance?
Absolutely no. There is no Iraqi who would accept the
existence of a foreign army in this country," he said.
"America is America and Iraq is Iraq."

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL176928220071217

[sam sarrha]

1. the thieves in their government are skimming off 1/2 the money we send them and their cronies are

taking the rest.. cut the sons-of-bitches off right NOW.!!!!!!!!

and just get out..

we need to start a National 'not for profit' solar/wind/etc project, cut the cost of energy 20% and invest the rest in education, Research, reestablishing our essential manufacturing, into GREEN food, shoes, clothes... GET CHINAS HOOKS OUT OF US.. OR WE ARE DONE FOR..

china is our only problem that will destroy us.. iraq is just a distraction

[rodeodance]

10. at least---also story on LBN that ANOTHER 12 million lost in Iraq

[hobbit709]

2. "Iraq" or our puppets need us?

[robcon]

3. It'll be longer than ten years, IMO.

Instead of "Iraq" the headline should read "the current government of Iraq." I think any government in that country, unless it becomes a police state like Saddam's government, will need foreign troops to keep the peace, or keep the country from being divided, or at least keep it less violent than it's been.

The situation will be similar in ten years, IMO, and the government then will see a need for 'ten more years' of occupation.

[BadgerKid]

4. For a second there

I thought he was going to say 10 years, 3 months, plus 15 days. Y'know, just a ballpark figure. :sarcasm:

We go from "no nation-building" to building bases. Then Iraq's puppet government says 'no' to US bases, now they want us for a limited time? :crazy: It smells, it reeks.

It's interesting how the US, Israel, and now Iraq do this flip-flop this when a previous assertion ruffles political feathers.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. This is obviously an error.

10 decades is more like it.

We are going to be in Iraq forever.

[Rockerdem]

6. Sadly, you are very correct

The Iraqi government still needs some propping up, although diminishing with time. The real reason is to secure the existing oil fields and to develop/protect the massive reserves. Just enough Democrats buy into it to make it permanent. Most of the candidates running for president are OK with it, which is the reason that Obama and Edwards won't be allowed to win.

[LynnTheDem]

7. To "protect Iraq sovereignty" the occupiers must remain.

:rofl:

[sutz12]

8. And I thought Puerto Rico would be the 51st state... nt

[Rockerdem]

9. Puerto Rico might be a state if it had oil

Don't think of the future Iraq as "Iraq." Instead, think of Kurdistan as another Dubai, southern Iraq as another Kuwait, and the rest as a schlub state like Jordan or Egypt; bribed to keep the unrest at simmering level. All protected by US troops ad infinitum.

[classysassy]

11. Our troops

will be there for years or until the oil wells run dry.

[humbled_opinion]

12. But what about Lebanon...

Lebanon is a Democracy and their are no permenant bases there... well we had a Marine barracks once but I guess the people there didn't like it too much cause they blew it up... So what about we build some stuff in Iraq and they Blow it up...

[Az_lefty]

13. Could I recommend Egyptian troops?

[tabasco]

14. Of course the quislings want their bodyguards!

They are making good money in their puppet jobs and want to keep the deal going as long as possible!

There is no doubt the collaborators will quickly flee Iraq when the US military departs.