U.S. Opens Door to Possibly Delaying Iraq Handover

[cjbuchanan]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior U.S. officials opened the door on Wednesday to delaying the planned June 30 handover of sovereignty to Iraqis by saying they could not rule out considering this possibility.

Any delay would carry risks for the Bush administration, increasing the chances Iraq will loom larger in the November U.S. presidential election and opening up Washington to accusations in Iraq that it is reneging on promises to let go of power.

Asked at a congressional hearing whether it was the Bush administration's position that the June 30 deadline could not be extended, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the decision was up to President Bush.

"I would never say never on the deadline myself. Clearly the goal is to pass sovereignty as soon as possible. But what judgments the president might or might not make depend on the way the world evolves, I would think," Rumsfeld later added.

http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/43119|top|02-04-2004::17:12|reuters.html

[pinto]

1. any mention of the UN in any of his statements? No. Any mention of

the intent of Iraqis? No. It's "Bush and the way the world evolves"...that is scary stuff.

[teryang]

2. Exactly

Such vague statements are the essence of arbitrary and absolute rule. One does not need to the give the legislature any reasons. Who cares what they think.

His lies concerning WMD were broadcast uncritically by NPR today. They disgust me.

[Snappy]

3. Screwups

It has now become more obvious than ever that the Neo Fascists did not anticipate Iraqi resistance to colonialization.