U.S. commander might need troops beyond August

[sabra]

Source: Voice of Iraq

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The commander of U.S. forces in northern Iraq says it might be necessary to keep some American combat forces in the country beyond the August 31 deadline, to continue serving as a buffer between Iraqi national and Kurdish regional forces.　

Speaking from his headquarters in northern Iraq, Major General Tony Cucolo told reporters during a conference call it might be necessary to keep combat troops involved in the security mechanism that maintains peace between Iraqi national and Kurdish regional forces beyond the deadline, Voice of America reported.

“If there is any place we keep combat power, this is just my guess, it’s as a part of the combined security mechanism,” said General Cucolo.

That would require a change in the U.S.-Iraqi agreement that calls for all American combat troops to be out of Iraq by the end of August, and senior U.S. officials have said it would take a major security problem for them to advocate such a change.　 But General Cucolo says he is only talking about maybe 800 troops in 26 small units spread along the Arab-Kurd regional border, and they could be redesignated as advisory units, the U.S. network said.

Read more: http://en.aswataliraq.info/?p=128437

[DrDan]

1. aaaaaargh

[Winterblues]

2. Any Agreements the USA signs are basically meaningless

Including the Geneva Accords...

[noamnety]

3. I'm shocked.

:eyes:

"they could be redesignated as advisory units"

rebranding.

[polichick]

4. Commanders always request troops - that's how they stay in business. nt

[OnyxCollie]

5. How many Friedman Units will it take before the Hydrocarbon Law is passed?

[sandnsea]

6. "might" "if" just my guess"

But don't let obvious supposition stop the hysteria.

[Crowman1979]

7. Hey general! Get a real job!

You can't go on killing forever, especially from a nice cushy desk while everyone else has to risk their life in this ridiculous debacle of a war.

On a side note, why does the majority in this country always take a general's word for it? The last time I checked, military generals weren't annoited by god. Of course those who worship generals also treat Reagan as if he were a saint. Didn't the bible say something against idolatry HUNDREDS OF TIMES?!?!

[obxhead]

8. I'm completely shocked.

:sarcasm:

[Solly Mack]

9. snort

[pundaint]

10. The junior officer publicly states that it may not be possible to follow the orders of his Commander

in Chief. Well isn't that special.

[ManiacJoe]

13. Are you reading from the same article as posted in the OP?

[Jennicut]

11. Enough already. The Iraqis themselves know the day is coming. Let them

finally make their own decisions. Most want us to leave by the dates agreed to.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TheWatcher]

14. This should surprise no one.

We are never leaving Iraq, PERIOD.

Whoever controls the strings of power can spew all the Propaganda they wish, manufacture all the illusions they want, but we will never leave.

The Majority of Americans either do not care, or keep believing the spin and Carnival Illusions that are put before them, so why would TPTB ever change their course?

It's quite simple at this point.

The American People will continue to be lied to, abused, and taken advantage of on every conceivable level, until they decide to put a stop to it, by whatever means are necessary to do so.

There will be no real change until that happens.

Ever.

[conspirator]

15. As long as there is Oil that needs to be pumped out smoothly, the US will be there nt

[Robb]

16. "...And the general says even that may not be necessary."

"...He says the Kurdish and Arab forces that nearly went to war last year, before the three-way security system was established, are now working together quite well. In the interview, he predicted they might be able to work without U.S. help by the time the American combat role is to end six months from now, but later he backed off from that a little bit."

The fifth paragraph contradicts the first four. :shrug: