WP: Demise of Iraqi Units Symbolic of U.S. Errors

[kskiska]

Rebuilding Hindered by Past Mistakes

Saturday, September 25, 2004; Page A01

SAQLAWIYA, Iraq -- The police outpost here is supposed to house 90 armed members of Iraq's National Guard. Their job is to keep watch over a stretch of six-lane highway, deterring insurgents from laying roadside bombs and trying to blow up a bridge over the nearby Tharthar Canal.

But when the U.S. Marine commander responsible for the area visited the outpost this month, he found six bedraggled guardsmen on duty. None of them was patrolling. The Iraqi officer in charge was missing. And their weapons had been locked up by the Marines after a guardsman detonated a grenade inside the compound.

The unit's demise underscores the degree to which errors committed by civilian and military leaders during the 15 months of rule by the U.S.-led occupation authority continue to impede the U.S. effort to combat a vexing insurgency and rebuild Iraq's shattered government and economy. Recovering from those mistakes has become the principal challenge facing the United States in Iraq, three months after the transfer of political authority to an interim government.

"We're trying to climb out of a hole," said an official with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, who spoke on condition of anonymity. American missteps during the occupation, the official said, "continue to haunt us."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48707-2004Sep24.html

[truthisfreedom]

1. augh! God, every time i think about what's going on over there i want to

freaking scream! AAAAAAAUUGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

sigh.

if Kerry could only articulate this more deftly. if there were only words to soundbite the horror of bushco's miscalculations and arrogance. i think the term "war criminal" lets him off way too easy. i think "crimes against humanity" is far too soft a description.

[Rose Siding]

2. Someone should tell Congress

I think the repubs, in joint session, are still in a standing ovation for Allawi's speech.

[jmcgowanjm]

4. Allawi's handshake w/ the Israeli UN Amb has doomed him

Much like Rabin's handshake w/ Arafat.

[Spiffarino]

6. OMG, did he really?

Oh man, that was stupid. I mean, in another situation it would be a nice gesture, but given the animus in the arab world towards Israel in general and Sharon in particular I don't see how Allawi survives this politically. Moreover, it makes Iraq a far more dangerous place for him to be. :scared:

[madrchsod]

3. if i remember right

during Saddam`s dictatorship ..the Iraq`s had an army and they had a police force. women were able to walk safely down the streets and there wasn`t alot of crime that went unpunished since they had a functional legal system. now they have nothing and yet close to 50% of the dumb fucks in this country will vote for the man who personally brought to the Iraq`s-"freedom"

[leftchick]

5. Kick....

sorry mister moderator for all of my stupid dupes!

[Spiffarino]

7. Hey, thanks to you

...I didn't dupe the same piece. I saw the lock on yours and didn't post.

Saved by the leftchick! :)