U.S. Troop Buildup in Iraq Is Failing, UN's Ban Says

[Barrett808]

Source: Bloomberg

U.S. Troop Buildup in Iraq Is Failing, UN's Ban Says
By Bill Varner

The buildup of U.S. troops in Baghdad is failing, according to a report by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that said the heavily fortified Green Zone in the Iraqi capital has become too dangerous for his staff.

``Insurgent attacks persist and civilian casualties continue to mount,'' Ban said in a quarterly report to the UN Security Council. ``While there was a brief lull in the level of sectarian violence early in the reporting period, it now appears that militia forces are resuming their activities.''

Five additional U.S. brigades have deployed to Iraq since the start of the year in an attempt to intensify security against sectarian violence and attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces, taking the total number of U.S. troops in the country to about 150,000.

Last month was the deadliest for U.S. forces in Iraq since the November 2004 battle for Fallujah, with more than 120 killed. Some 3,506 U.S. military personnel have died in Iraq, of which 2,864 were killed in action since March 2003, according to the Department of Defense.

``Despite the efforts of the Iraqi and multinational security forces to stem violence, progress was slower than had been hoped when security initiatives were launched at the start of 2007,'' Ban said. ``This has been demonstrated by continued attacks on the civilian populations.''

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aF6xG1tG2WCM&refer=home

[Tempest]

1. U.N. moves out of the Green Zone to escape rocket attacks

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, under pressure from the United States to expand the U.N.'s role in Iraq, said Monday he would consider it but cited deteriorating security that has forced the U.N. to leave the southern city of Basra and temporarily move out of its living quarters in Baghdad's U.S.-protected Green Zone.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/11/news/UN-GEN-UN-Iraq.php



If the Green Zone isn't safe enough, where in Iraq is?

[leftchick]

4. The US Imperial Palace with Blackwater protection

a least that is the plan.

[Supersedeas]

2. Nothing to see here -- feed them more Paris, Lohan and TB scares

[lyonn]

3. Our presence in Iraq has become a joke

The bad guys are free to roam Iraq and the U.S. has no way of identifying them. The Iraqis are afraid to rat on an "insurgent" (please someone, identifify an insurgent) for fear of having their family wiped out, yet, must appear to appreciate what the U.S. is doing "for them". This "strategy" is pure stupid. Our "Surge" is looking weaker and weaker by the week! They are mocking us and our loyal troops are the scape goats. Hey George, start honoring our brave military and listen to someone besides "your" chosen ones that put big bucks in pockets of the truly "evil ones", you know who they are George.

[truth2power]

5. Not all are bad guys...

Some are Iraqi citizens trying to expel those who illegally invaded and occupied their country (that would be us).

[uberllama42]

6. Disappointed but not surprised

If this war was not so incomprehensibly abhorrent, I would be motivated to gloat over how wrong the Bushies are and how right we all have been.

[shadowknows69]

7. In other news

the weather in Hell is expected to be hot and humid with a possiblility of demonic torture again this weekend and now to Beelzulbub for sports.

[Harper_is_Bush]

8. I think it's time Bush went back to the green zone for a visit. n/t

[truthisfreedom]

9. He should relocate there, and call it the "Mid-Eastern White House."

With the internets and the google, he can do most everything from his favorite war zone!

[Harper_is_Bush]

10. Yes. Take his chainsaw and clear some brush amid the falling rockets.

A fitting end for him.

[BikeWriter]

11. Yep, he could lease some camels from his neighbors for props.