WP: U.S. Now Taking Supporting Role in Iraq, Officials Say

[kskiska]

Concern Surrounds Whether Power Shift Is Too Late

Wednesday, September 22, 2004; Page A01

Three months after the handover of power, the interim government of Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is making most key decisions politically and militarily, while the new U.S. Embassy is increasingly deferring and acting in a supporting role, according to Iraqi and U.S. officials.

U.S. diplomats and military experts say the United States is now doing what it should have done a year ago: ceding authority to Iraqis; focusing on smaller, labor-intensive reconstruction projects to generate jobs rather than big ventures by U.S. companies; and assuming a low profile.

Allawi's interim government, meanwhile, is consolidating control over Iraqi ministries once tightly managed under former U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer, officials say. Iraqis, for example, are allocating the nation's oil income, overseeing the struggle to restore basic government services and guiding distribution of U.S. aid.

The U.S. military is conducting fewer patrols and raids and turning over more day-to-day operations to newly trained Iraqi forces, even as the security situation deteriorates. Insurgents said yesterday they had executed a second American hostage in as many days.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39916-2004Sep21.html

[KC21304]

1. Well isn't that special ! " Don't blame me, I'm not making the

decisions anymore. We are just helping out."

[David Dunham]

2. The US is still doing the real fighting. Iraqis don't fight other Iraqis.

[bpilgrim]

3. that sounds famillar

just like the freshly minted police defecting :crazy:

peace

[Beetwasher]

4. Bwahahahahah! Yeah, Right

Sure, whatever those "officials" say, I'm buying it...:eyes:

[mazzarro]

15. Hmmmmmmm! Are you thinking what am thinking?

I'll bet you, this story will be revised in, .... say, 2 or 3 weeks?

[pinkpops]

5. HAW HAW

HAW
HAW
HAW
Nothing has changed (for the better) since the "handover"

[2Design]

6. and whose planes and helicopters are dropping bombs and missiles

[opiate69]

8. You beat me to it. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

19. Those bombs are in a "supporting role"

as are the civilian casualties that they cause.

Is there anyone out there that really believes that Allawi's regime is truly independent of the US?

[UpInArms]

7. wonder how the Iraqis will think of Allawi

when they hear that he ordered the bombing and destruction campaign that is going on in Sadr City?

Yeah, whatever.

[leftchick]

17. and Falluja....

it was all Allawi's idea! ReallY!... :eyes:

[fearnobush]

9. They are so full of SHITTT 59 US troops DEAD in 21 days of sept 04 so far.

Fucking liars. I'd like to see Bush visit Allawi in Fallujah and have him tell the people their how good things are going.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

10. Yeah, tell that to the KIA's who were "supporting" the Iraqis.

Oops, tell their families, I mean.

[K. F. Gibbons]

11. lets retreat and blame it on the new Iraq Government.

[saigon68]

12. This is a work of Fiction

How can anyone believe this drivel?

[Eye and Monkey]

13. and as we speak, the US is raining SUPPORT on Sadr City with tanks

and aircraft.

[murielm99]

14. Sounds just like "Vietnamization" to me.

Anyone else remember that?

Iraqification?

[Bridget Burke]

21. Yeah, & we're Winning Hearts & Minds.

But there's a Light at the End of the Tunnel.

Besides, Novak says there's a Secret Plan to End the War.

(Damned flashbacks--I always hoped they'd be more fun!)

[DoYouEverWonder]

16. So does that mean US troops are under the control

of a foreign leader?

Isn't that the sort of thing that get the freepers knickers all tied in a knot? Isn't that why they hate UN peacekeeping missions, because US troops might be under someone else's control?

[leftchick]

18. excellent question DYEW!

if I dared tread there I would post it in freeperland.

[Jacobin]

26. Oh, please don't tell the Freepers about this

They'll all have a stroke!!!

[DinahMoeHum]

20. "Supporting Role" ?!?!?! 90% of the fighting and the casualties !?!?

If that's a supporting role, I'm the Queen of England.

:evilfrown:

[gratuitous]

22. Geez, the WaPo will believe anything, won't they?

I see two names in that excerpt (and for some obscure reason, I refuse to register at the Washington Post website so I can read the whole story): Allawi and Bremer. Everything else is "U.S. officials" this, and unnamed "military experts" that.

Is it true that if you go to the definition for "gullible" at Merriam-Webster online that there's a picture of today's edition of the Washington Post?

[Ms. Clio]

24. You don't have to register, just use bugmenot.com n/t

[leetrisck]

23. Are our military people under Iraqi control?

Just asking mr.bush. Do you know? I thought bush was in charge of everything, making all decisions (remember Woodward's book) - he absolutely is not responsible for anything.

[Jacobin]

25. WaPo still WHORING for the invasion and occupation, I see

What a useless rag.

If it weren't so sad, it would be funny