Spy chief (Negroponte) cites perils in Iraq

[ECH1969]

National Intelligence Director John Negroponte says Iraq is far more precarious than much of Vietnam was when he served as a U.S. diplomat there in the 1960s.

An expert on Vietnam and one-time adviser to former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Negroponte said he sees more differences than similarities between the two conflicts. In Vietnam, for example, there was a clear enemy, given Soviet support of the North Vietnamese.

Additionally, "in Vietnam, the cities were secure. The province capitals were secure. I walked around that country as an unarmed civilian for almost four years without ever having any serious brushes," said Negroponte, who served in the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. "In Iraq, even the capital is highly insecure - perhaps one of the most insecure places in the country." snip.

This has really got to become more and more of an Iraqi problem, and less and less of a U.S. one," he said. "I would hope that our forces can take more of a support role and a training role, and fall more into the background rather than being in the lead in the months ahead."

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/16142817.htm

[justfred]

1. Don't let this "support and training role" crap throw you off...

The 70,000 or so troops left behind in the recommendation of the Baker/Hamilton commission will probably wind up being closer to 90,000 and will be some combat soldiers along with a framework which will give PNAC exactly what they wanted when they invaded Iraq, permanently stationed, forwardly deployed troops which would allow rapid military strikes and sustainable combat throughout southern Asia and the Middle East.

THIS - not WMDs, oil, Democracy, freedom, removal of Saddam or any of their other excuses is the REAL reason were are there in the first place.

Oil and defense dollars are just bonuses for a 'job well done' (deception well executed)

[dchill]

2. I'll bet he thinks...

we just need more death squads...

[DeepModem Mom]

3. CNN/AP: Spy chief Negroponte: Iraq is more precarious than Vietnam

Friday, December 01, 2006
Spy chief: Iraq is more precarious than Vietnam

WASHINGTON (AP) -- National Intelligence Director John Negroponte says Iraq is far more precarious than much of Vietnam was when he served as a U.S. diplomat there in the 1960s.

An expert on Vietnam and one-time adviser to former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Negroponte said he sees more differences than similarities between the two conflicts. In Vietnam, for example, there was a clear enemy, given Soviet support of the North
Vietnamese.

Additionally, "in Vietnam, the cities were secure. The province capitals were secure. I walked around that country as an unarmed civilian for almost four years without ever having any serious brushes," said Negroponte, who served in the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. "In Iraq, even the capital is highly insecure -- perhaps one of the most insecure places in the country."...

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2006/12/spy-chief-iraq-is-more-precarious-than.html

[Erika]

4. The Vietnamese were not Arabs nor had their culture

Maybe W will wake up.

[SoCalDem]

5. "...as an unarmed civilian for almost four years ..." Bastard.. n/t

[Toots]

6. Yes.... but at least he was over there

Where was Bush* and Cheney and Rush and O'Rielly and Hannity and virtually every other member of this Administration? He is right in that the Vietnamese cities were secure and peaceful. So peaceful in fact GIs were not allowed to carry firearms into the cities...The cities were bustling and most people seemed quite happy..

[saigon68]

7. that fucker had body guards armed with Swedish "K"s

He always had had someone watch his sorry ass

[ckramer]

8. The CEO of USA should be fired

What a failure!