U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for a few more years: commander (Gen. Casey)

[sabra]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/20/content_4320230.htm

U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for a few more years: commander


WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhuanet) -- On the third anniversary of the Iraq war, the top commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said Sundaythat U.S. troops will likely remain there for a few more years though the number will be reduced.

Appearing on TV news network NBC's "Meet the Press," Gen. George W. Casey said "a couple of more years" will be needed for the U.S. military presence in that country with "a gradually reducing coalition presence" as Iraqi security forces get more capable of dealing with the insurgency.

The general acknowledged that at the beginning of the war, the U.S. military may have had underestimated the insurgency.

He also admitted that the current situation in Iraq is fragile and will likely remain so until a new government of national unityis formed.

[pacco]

1. Similar Situation in Afghnistan

Canada will be in Afghanistan for years: Ambassador
International mission could be extended another decade, envoy Samad says
 
JAN RAVENSBERGEN, The Gazette
Published: Saturday, March 18, 2006
Expect it to take at least "four to five years" before Canadians can realistically consider whether and how to pull our 2,300 peacekeeping troops out of Afghanistan, the Afghan ambassador to Canada said yesterday.
Canadian and other international troops might have to extend their Afghan mission as much as another 10 years, Omar Samad said in a speech at the McGill University Faculty Club.
About 35,000 U.S., British, Canadian and other peacekeeping troops from a total of 35 nations are stationed in Afghanistan.
These forces shouldn't leave, the envoy said, until they help fully eradicate Afghanistan's international status as a breeding ground and base of operations for "radical, extremist Islamists" including Osama bin Laden, held responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and other terrorist acts.
Afghanistan is "at the crossroads" in its development toward becoming a stable nation, Samad said.
Years of Soviet occupation fostered "a political vacuum, a leadership vacuum, an economic vacuum and a social-cohesion vacuum," he said. Those conditions allowed Islamic extremism to flourish, he added.
Afghanistan cannot be developed and its economy cannot be rebuilt without an active international peacekeeping force on hand, Samad said.
"It will take at least four or five years for us to rebuilt our security institutions," Samad told The Gazette. "That job is halfway done," having begun in 2001.
"We estimate another four to five years (will be needed) to complete that job," he said, adding it could stretch to 10 years.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/montreal/story.html?id=d5ad1990-6229-44f7-a8ca-e8f889cd4ac4&k=89415

Control of Energy Sources and Transport Routes

[MichiganVote]

2. "MAY have underestimated the insurgency?"

God I am so sick of these bastards lying to our very faces about their own damn incompetence. Worthless, just plain fat ass worthless.

[saigon68]

3. ITS IRAQ-NAM

It will end this way

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. Yup.

You betcha.

Which is why, right now, they are avoiding the draft like the plague. They know that if they restart the draft, the kids are gonna go spare.

[Jacobin]

8. i fear it will end much worse

somehow, whoever ends up in control of IraqNam (and you can BET it won't be a government friendly to the U.S.) will create endless problems for our interests (oil)

[fshrink]

4. Lol. They keep using this "coalition" thing.

Like the whole planet is behind. Amazing what a word can "do".

[katinmn]

6. They will stay for generations if we let them.

[Joey Liberal]

7. Gen. Casey needs a haircut

Had the good general been in my squad or section, he would have been told (not asked) to "Get a frickin haircut". He's a four star rag-bag.

[cliss]

9. These people are so child-like in their naivité

Look at this statement: "Iraq is fragile and will remain so until a new government is formed".

I guess you could call them "eternal optimists" because they are always looking for some solution, some miraculous "event" that will save their asses.

I've got news for General Casey: the war in Iraq is over. We lost.

[Disturbed]

10. Those 14 US Military bases are not permanent.

They are temporary but only for around 20 years or the Iraqi oil is tapped out.


"The terrorists want to control the oil. Our way of life will be at risk". George W. Bush (Nov. 2005)

[daleo]

11. The numbers will be reduced

Eventually, there will be no more Iraqis left.

[cboy4]

12. OMFG, this ass clown Casey made such a fool of himself on TV today....

I don't know how many people saw him and his lies and propaganda, but it was one of the most repulsive interviews I've seen in awhile.

Thank goodness Murtha followed with some intelligent talk to keep me from throwing the ironing board at the TV :banghead: