US envoy says caught off guard by big Basra battle ("boatload of problems")

[sabra]

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, April 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to Baghdad said on Thursday he was caught off guard when a big battle broke out between Iraqi forces and militias in Basra last week, saying U.S. troops were only able to give support after fighting began.

Ryan Crocker, just days away from delivering key testimony to the U.S. Congress on Iraq, sought to paint a positive picture of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's crackdown on Shi'ite militias that many analysts say highlighted the weakness of Iraq's army.

Iraq's defence minister has said his forces were not ready for such fierce resistance from the Mehdi Army militia of populist Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in the southern city.

...

"I was not expecting frankly a major battle from day one. But then again it's not clear to me that they'd decided that's what they were going to do. The enemy has a vote in combat."

...

"Were there a lot of problems? There were a boatload of problems and there is still a long way to go," Crocker said when asked about the capability of Iraq's security forces in light of the operation.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L03777940.htm

[Solly Mack]

1. "I was not expecting frankly a major battle from day one.... The enemy has a vote in combat.""

said the moron about a combat zone

[TomInTib]

3. Excuse me while I pick my jaw up from the goddamned floor.

Just when I think that I am pretty much numb to these dumb bastards, one of them manages to lower the bar once again.

[tchunter]

2. major change of tone here

notice how he's a "populist" shi'ite cleric not a "firebrand" or an "anti-american" cleric.

i also find it hilarious that what W. considered a "defining moment" was a complete failure.

[hisownpetard]

4. Well, at least we know now who it is who *will* be "ready on Day One."