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Bush Wars Title: CIVAL WAR IN IRAQ - RUMMY WILL BE GRILLED BUT GOOD TODAY Rumsfeld Testifies to Senate About Iraq WASHINGTON
The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East told Congress on Thursday that "Iraq could move toward civil war" if the raging sectarian violence in Baghdad is not stopped. "I believe that the sectarian violence is probably as bad as I have seen it," Gen. John Abizaid, the commander of U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said the top priority in the Iraq war is to secure the capital, where factional violence has surged in recent weeks despite efforts by the new Iraqi government to stop the fighting.
Abizaid, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and other top military officers testified Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee amid fresh reports that said up to two-thirds of the Army's combat units are unprepared for wartime missions because of the strain of operations in Iraq. The Pentagon is trying to convince lawmakers, divided over the war in Iraq, that the mission is not breaking the Army and that extending the tours of some troops is necessary to quell increasing violence in the region. Rumsfeld had said Wednesday he essentially was too busy to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee and would instead attend a private briefing with the entire Senate on Thursday. He changed his mind after hours of criticism and pressure from Senate Democrats, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who said the Pentagon chief should be accountable to the public by answering questions on the war. The Pentagon offered no reason for Rumsfeld's change of plans. Earlier, it had said the defense secretary has made an aggressive effort to meet with lawmakers regularly, including testimony at an appropriations hearing earlier this year and at other classified briefings. Rumsfeld's relations with Congress have been testy at times and he occasionally has resisted testifying publicly on contentious subjects, including the debate over whether high-level officials should be held accountable for the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. The Pentagon this week announced its decision to extend the tours of an Alaskan Army brigade to bolster security around a volatile Baghdad and push troop levels to roughly 135,000 _ dashing the Bush administration's hopes of dropping the figure by tens of thousands by the fall congressional campaigns. On the Net: Pentagon: http://defenselink.mil Senate Armed Services Committee: http://armed-services.senate.gov Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Rumsfeld under pressure for Iraq situation Reporter: Tom Iggulden
MAXINE McKEW: In the United States, pressure is building on President George W Bush to sack Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who's again been accused of mishandling the Iraq war. And there's been a dramatic change in tone from the American military's leaders. They say sectarian violence in Iraq is getting worse and civil war is now a distinct possibility. Tom Iggulden reports TOM IGGULDEN: In the marketplaces, job queues and ghettos of Iraq, there's no escaping the daily slaughter as religious-based militias wage vendettas against each other's followers. And now, it seems, the reality on the streets of Iraq has arrived in the corridors of power in Washington. DIANNE SAWYER, US TV NEWS ANCHOR: Tonight, a stunning change of tone about Iraq. The American generals in charge warn of the brink of civil war. And good evening. We do begin with that stunning admission today from the American generals running the war in Iraq. TOM IGGULDEN: The US military's most senior commander in Iraq today told the Senate Armed Services Committee what others have been saying for months. GENERAL JOHN ABIZAID, US CENTRAL COMMANDER: The sectarian violence is probably bad as I have seen it in Baghdad, in particular and that if not stopped, it is possible that Iraq could move towards civil war. TOM IGGULDEN: Backed by the chairman of the joint chiefs-of-staff, the general's warning is a dramatic departure from the Bush administration's official outlook on the war. It's also an about-face from last year's committee hearings, where generals told the senators that American troops could be withdrawn this year. SENATOR JOHN McCAIN, REPUBLICAN: General Pace, you said there is a possibility of the situation in Iraq evolving into civil war, is that correct? GENERAL PETER PACE, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: I did say that. Yes, sir. SENATOR JOHN McCAIN: Did you anticipate this situation a year ago? GENERAL PETER PACE: No, sir. SENATOR JOHN McCAIN: Did you General Abizaid? GENERAL JOHN ABIZAID: I believe that a year ago it was clear to see that sectarian tensions were increasing. That they would be this high - no. TOM IGGULDEN: The Generals' assessment puts them in the centre of Washington hard-ball politics - two presidential hopefuls sit on the Armed Services Committee. One of them is republican John McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam. SENATOR JOHN McCAIN: I would anticipate that putting American troops into this very volatile situation, that American casualties will probably go up. GENERAL JOHN ABIZAID: I think it's possible that in the period ahead of us in Baghdad, that we'll take increased casualties. TOM IGGULDEN: Another committee member contemplating a run for president is Democrat Hillary Clinton - until now noted for her measured tone on the Iraq question. SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON, DEMOCRAT: Now, whether you label it a civil war or not, it is a situation that has created extreme violence and the continuing loss among our troops and of the Iraqis. TOM IGGULDEN: Today, she was gunning for Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON: Under your leadership there have been numerous errors in judgement that have led us to where we are in Iraq and Afghanistan. But because of the administration's strategic blunders, and frankly, the record of incompetence in executing, you are presiding over a failed policy. DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: My goodness. TOM IGGULDEN: But Mr Rumsfeld stood his ground when Senator Clinton accused him of putting a positive spin on the war. DONALD RUMSFELD: I have never painted a rosy picture. I have been very measured in my words and you'd have a dickens of a time trying to find instances where I've been excessively optimistic. TOM IGGULDEN: And he repeated the administration's view that cutting and running from Iraq would only play into the hands of America's enemies. DONALD RUMSFELD: And then we would face not only the evil ideology of these violent extremists, but an enemy that will have grown accustomed to succeeding in telling free people everywhere what to do. TOM IGGULDEN: Senator Clinton has so far not backed Democrat calls for his resignation. Today, she changed her mind and called on President Bush to remove him. It's doubtful he will, but if the generals' predictions come true, President Bush's hand may be forced. GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, POLITICAL ANALYST: Diane, I talked to Democratic and Republican senators all day today and the consensus is clear - if this becomes civil war they believe the US has no business being there. Support for this mission will disappear. TOM IGGULDEN: As the slide towards civil war appears unstoppable on the ground in Iraqi, a political body count may soon be under way in Washington. Tom Iggulden, Lateline. http://www.abc.n et.au/lateline/content/2006/s1706871.htm
I came, I saw, I deleted all your files. (Compliments of the Linux Fortune program.) TLBSHOW cannot, or will not, converse with them Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest |
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