Bush's Bloody Flip-Flop

[struggle4progress]

By Robert Parry
September 14, 2004

A flip-flop by George W. Bush worsened the military-political debacle in Fallujah last April when the Bush administration overruled the Marine commanding general twice, first ordering him to undertake a retaliatory assault against the rebellious Iraqi city and then abruptly reversing direction three days later.

Marine Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, who commanded U.S. forces in western Iraq, told reporters that he opposed the decision to attack Fallujah in April and then – after committing Marines to the battle – he objected to the follow-up order to cease offensive operations and pull back, a decision that effectively ceded the city to insurgents as a “no-go” zone for American troops. <snip>

The embarrassment of the Marines' sudden withdrawal was covered by a public relations fig leaf called the Fallujah Brigade, a new Iraqi force that was supposed to police the city. It was touted as a model for how the Bush administration planned to pacify other rebellious cities in Iraq.

But the Fallujah Brigade turned out to be another failure. The U.S. military later discovered that the brigade was collaborating with the insurgents, even supplying them with U.S. weapons and joining in attacks on U.S. forces outside the city. The Fallujah Brigade was quietly disbanded in early September. <snip>

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2004/091404.html

[Catfight]

1. Bush translate to FAILURE! n/t

[speedoo]

2. I'd like to hear Gen. Tommy Franks 'splain this.

He leaves his troops in Iraq under the corrupt command of Sanchez and co. and then tells us to re-elect the coWard.

The recent debacle in Najaf is another example of political manipulation of our troops.

Go fuck yourself "General" Franks. You ain't no Eisenhower. And you certainly ain't no Wesley Clark.

You cut and run, you fucking coward.