Rumsfeld, in France, Warns of 'Bumpy Road' in Iraq

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=6&u=/nm/20050209/ts_nm/nato_rumsfeld_dc

ABOARD THE USS O'BANNON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told sailors on a destroyer off the French coast on Wednesday to expect a "bumpy road" in Iraq (news - web sites) as he prepared to press NATO (news - web sites) allies to do more to train Iraqi forces.


<snip>

U.S. officials said Rumsfeld would urge alliance members to provide more military personnel, equipment and funds to accelerate the formation of capable Iraqi security forces, or help in training Iraqis outside Iraq.


<snip>


"I wish I could assure you that everything was going to turn out well (in Iraq). But I can't. I suspect that there are going to be more people killed, that there'll be more difficulties, that it will be a bumpy road, a tough road," Rumsfeld said aboard the USS O'Bannon.


"But I don't believe in the history of the world there's ever been a country that has gone from a dictatorship, or a repressive regime, or an authoritarian regime to a democracy smoothly," he added.

[Redstone]

1. Also, in the history of the world...

there hasn't been a country that has gone from a democracy to a dictatorship, or a repressive regime, or an authoritarian regime smoothly, either.

Accounting for the bumps in the road that we're experiencing here in the US.

Bite me, Rumdum. And shut up, would you? Please?

Redstone

[fertilizeonarbusto]

2. Yeah, and that's just the road to the airport

Shut up, Rumfilled.

[dutchdoctor]

3. Let's play a game..

"But I don't believe in the history of the world there's ever been a country that has gone from a dictatorship, or a repressive regime, or an authoritarian regime to a democracy smoothly," he added.

Who can name the most countries that have had a smoother transition to democracy than Iraq?

Here is my go (in no specific order): Ukraine, Georgia, Great Britain, Iceland, The Netherlands, Poland (Never forget Poland..), Eastern Germany, The Czech republic, Greece, Spain, Turkey, India..

[tabasco]

13. Canada, Ancient Greece

Gimme a few minutes I'll think of some more.

on edit: Scratch Brazil. They didn't get invaded but it wasn't very smooth.

[dutchdoctor]

14. Mexico(?), Norway, Sweden, Finland,

Argentina (not bloodless, but not as bad as Iraq IIRC), Hungary, Australia

[daleo]

28. Russia was pretty smooth, considering. n/t

[RuleofLaw]

4. Actually,

It can be argued that the transition in the Nordic countries from monarchy to representative government was a smooth transition from a totalitarian state to a democracy.

just my $0.2

[Bridget Burke]

8. Which foreign powers invaded them....

To force them to change their method of government?

[tabasco]

12. None. That's the point. n/t

[mod mom]

5. Is he planning to go to Germany ? How will the Europeans treat him? nt

[skordane]

6. Bernard Kerrick Allready Trained 200,000 policemen NM

[jakpalmer]

7. What is he doing "on a destroyer off the French coast" anyway ?

Is he scared of setting foot on European soil ?
I wonder if he has something to blame himself for... <sarcasm off>

[Jacobin]

19. Guess he's dodging the arrest warrant

:eyes:

[aden_nak]

9. Must be bumpy from all those rose petals they are throwing at our feet.

[HereSince1628]

10. Everytime he talks about bumps hundreds of soldiers deaths

are anticipated.

He's willed our children to plow other's nation's lives under fields of death this can only bear a bitter yield.

[opihimoimoi]

11. When I drive, I hate bumpy roads.... go for the SMOOTH ones

AVOID BUMPY....go for smooth.....

[rodeodance]

15. I too wonder when he will step over the border to Germany (NEVER)

[SodoffBush]

16. You mean, no flowers? No candy?

Ever??

[Brooklyn Michael]

17. Here it comes....

...the downplayed version of what "victory" means...

Hey Don, I've got your "bumpy road" right here....

[Earth_First]

23. Is that "Jeff Gannon"

?

[AlCzervik]

18. I guess it's been smooth sailing until now???

He is insane.

[egoprofit]

20. bumpy? yeah it's hard to run over dead bodies

[jpgray]

21. That's easy to predict when you've provided the bumps

:crazy:

[LeaderlessResistance]

22. French Tabloid Takes Aim At U.S.

News From France

French Tabloid Takes Aim At U.S.

'Anti-American' Satirical Newspaper Bespeaks Testy Times Between U.S., France

PARIS - Forget about all that trans-Atlantic talk of kiss-and-make-up following the "Freedom Fries"-era disagreements between France and the United States. There's a new tabloid on Paris newsstands offering an alternate take: "L'Anti-Americain."

The French-language paper offers an unflattering, if tongue-in-cheek, look at America's perceived shortcomings. From fast food to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Its Bush re-election headline read: "France offers political asylum to Americans!"

"The name is 'anti-American' for laughs, but it's really anti-Bush," said freelance journalist Frederic Royer.

By ordering troops into Iraq over European protest and refusing to back international efforts to curb global warming, Bush looks to some Europeans like a cowboy thumbing his nose at the world.


Full story:

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050205/ap/d882aq0o0.html

[rocktivity]

24. Remember when the road to Iraq was nice and smooth, Rummy?

:headbang:
rocknation

[paineinthearse]

25. Wouldn't it be nice if...

his airplane had to make an emergency landing in Germany?

[cthrumatrix]

26. especially after the US has to Ukraine the election for Alawi

the Shiite will go "crazy"

[VegasWolf]

27. The road will smooth out pretty quickly after the new regime kicks

bush's sorry ass out and take all of the OIL profits for
themselves.

[progressoid]

29. Holy Shit!! A bumpy road huh? Imagine that......... nt