US says troops unlikely to guard Baghdad embassies

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N07244026.htm

WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - American troops are not likely to take over protection of foreign embassies from Iraqi police in Baghdad, the United States said on Thursday after a deadly truck bombing outside the Jordanian Embassy there.

"It is far more likely that Iraqis will guard embassies of other nations in Baghdad," Air Force Lt. Gen. Norton Schwartz told reporters at the Pentagon in response to questions.

"As you know, we have roughly 33,000 Iraqi police on duty in Iraq -- several thousand in Baghdad -- and that is the way to address the problem. That is internal security provided in Iraq by Iraqis," added Schwartz, director of operations for the U.S. military's Joint Staff.

He spoke at a news briefing hours after the truck bomb exploded outside the Jordanian compound guarded by Iraqi police, killing at least 11 people, wounding 65 and strewing gutted cars and body parts across the street. Five Iraqi policemen were reported to be among those killed.

more

[htuttle]

1. Whoever ends up standing at the gates...

...according to Occupation Law, it's the responsibility of the US to ensure the embassies are protected.

[J B]

2. To the US they're not embassies, remember.

They're embassies to a non-existent government. There's no government to accept papers, so the embassies are just normal properties as far as the US is concerned, under international law.

At least that's what they were saying a month ago...

[Karenina]

3. Such hubris.

The Amerikkkan *regime is failing miserably in its obligation to services and security in Iraq. It has failed to support its career military leadership, to say NOTHING of the criminal multitude of horrors being perpetrated/perpetuated on enlisted personnel. We are SO through the looking glass... :shrug:

[newyorican]

4. no shit

especially after today, sheesh... :eyes: