Powell gives bleak assessment of Iraq security problems

[indigobusiness]

Powell gives bleak assessment of Iraq security problems

By Guy Dinmore in Washington
Published: January 13 2005 02:00 | Last updated: January 13 2005 02:00

Colin Powell, outgoing secretary of state, says he would like to see US troops leave Iraq "as quickly as possible" but that the strength of the insurgency does not allow the Bush administration to set a timeframe for a withdrawal this year.


Mr Powell told National Public Radio yesterday the US leadership had been "in almost non-stop meetings for the last couple of days" reviewing the security problem while coalition forces were adjusting their "tactics and strategy and deployments".

"It's not possible right now to say that by the end of 2005, we'll be down to such and such a number. It really is dependent upon the situation," he said, referring to the training of the new Iraqi army and police.

Mr Powell's bleak assessment, less than three weeks before Iraqis are due to elect a parliament, reflects what advisers close to the administration and former officials describe as an understanding in the State Department and Pentagon of the depth of the crisis.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/ff15191c-6507-11d9-9f8b-00000e2511c8.html

[gratuitous]

1. Wasn't it just a couple of days ago?

Colin the houseboy was proclaiming that the troops would be leaving Iraq (leaving for where and whether they'd be alive, he didn't say). Now comes the fudge factor wording. I note with some curiosity that he's tabbed in the story as the "outgoing secretary of state," a sobriquet that most of the mainstream media have not adopted when they're reporting on the latest deathless pronouncement by Colin the houseboy.

The troops are staying for the duration. They were never coming home, except in coffins. Until we need to reassure people that they are coming home. Then, they will be coming home soon.

[indigobusiness]

5. That's not...

gratuitous.

[cliss]

7. Exactly.

Does Colon Bowel think we have the memory of a goldfish? I remember reading the same thing, just a couple of days ago.

And I was just as irritated then.

[Warpy]

2. Well, don't worry, he'll be out of there shortly

and there will be no more doom and gloomers left around Bush. Condi will be there to blow all the sunshine up his as that she can manage, making sure he makes his decisions based on pure fantasy.

[ananda]

3. no change, then

"Condi will be there to blow all the sunshine up his as that she can manage, making sure he makes his decisions based on pure fantasy."

I thought she was already doing that.

[sonicx]

4. I wish he would shut up with the "I'm a moderate!" crap and go away...

already. McCain does this shit too (and people use to fall for it).

[Skidmore]

6. You aren't the only one.

Last night we were watching some program and Powell came on and started to speak about tsunami relief monies. My husband changed the channel and did the same thing this morning while watching the news. My husband is a West Indian immigrant. He detests the sight of Powell.