Bremer Doubts Iraq's Security Readiness

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040...

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq (news - web sites)'s police and armed forces will not have the capability to secure the country from the threat of insurgents by the time the United States hands power to an Iraqi government on June 30, the top U.S. administrator said.


The comments by L. Paul Bremer aimed to defend the continued heavy presence of U.S. troops in Iraq after the occupation officially ends, but also delivered a rare, blunt assessment to the Iraqi people.


"It is clear that Iraqi forces will not be able, on their own, to deal with these threats by June 30 when an Iraqi government assumes sovereignty," Bremer said in a statement issued by the U.S. coalition.


"Events of the past two weeks show that Iraq still faces security threats and needs outside help to deal with them. Early this month the foes of democracy overran Iraqi police stations and seized public buildings in several parts of the country," he said. "Iraqi forces were unable to stop them.

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[bluestateguy]

1. Paul Bremer

Oh, excuse me, L. Paul Bremer. This guy is a corporate bureaucrat who can't park his SUV straight in the country club parking lot.

[Mikimouse]

2. If you are going to split hairs...

then I believe it is actually L. Paul Bremer the turd, ...er...the third.

[July]

3. But, somehow, the Iraqis will be "free."

In a democracy that lacks an elected government, freedom of speech, control over foreign investment, or military control of its own security. Yeah, baby, that's liberation, neocon-style.

[sspiderjohn]

4. The Brits warned us NOT to disband the old army and police . . .

The Brits felt we should use diplomacy to work with Iraq's well trained existing security forces, but did the US listen? No . . . .

[Jacobin]

5. "Security?!?!?" I love how they use that word in place of

"a successfully repressed populace".

Fuck, they're gonna run ole L. Paul's lilly white ass right OUT of Iraq......if he stays long enough for the rebellion.

[nagbacalan]

6. ransfer of sovereignty

To speak of a transfer of sovereignty with the US handpicking the "sovereign authority" and the US retaining control over Iraq's own security forces is a grotesque perversion of language.

[cliss]

7. Oh, HA HA I'm laughing now.

L. Paul Bremer (Bush's cousin) has been in Iraq for over one year now. He's been ensconced in Saddam's Palace. He has personal bodyguards.

He even sits in Saddam's Chair which is a Louis XIV, upholstered in silk velvet. It's a beautiful chair, and I'm sure he hates to give it up. Let 'em wait a while longer.