3 Iraqis Killed, 4 U.S. Troops Wounded in Separate Attacks

[leftchick]

Meanwhile, back in Iraq....

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/latimests/20040325/ts_latimes/3iraqiskilled4ustroopswoundedinseparateattacks&cid=2026&ncid=1480

<snip>BAGHDAD — Three Iraqis were killed and four American troops were wounded Wednesday morning in two separate attacks apparently aimed at jolting newly arrived U.S. Marines in the volatile Sunni Triangle cities of Fallouja and Ramadi.

The strikes came on the day that soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division formally handed over authority to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. A changeover ceremony was briefly interrupted by rescue helicopters rushing overhead to evacuate two injured Marines.

Also Wednesday, an Iraqi interpreter for Time magazine was critically wounded in an ambush near the publication's Baghdad bureau, the latest in a string of attacks aimed at those believed to be collaborating with Americans.

Marine Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, commander of the Camp Pendleton-based 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, said his unit — which has lost five men in attacks during the last week — was undeterred. "Although Marines don't normally do nation-building, once given the mission, nobody can do it better," he said.

[JaySherman]

1. That's surreal.

The ceremony to welcome new Marines interrupted by choppers already ferrying out wounded ones.

So sad what we have gotten ourselves into.

[saigon68]

2. Sorry Gen Conway

"Although Marines don't normally do nation-building, once given the mission, nobody can do it better," he said.

No one can do anything here--Not even the Marines.
The only thing anyone can do in Iraq is DIE.

[leftchick]

3. question for you saigon....

What are the chances of the US being able to actually operate those bases and the huge new embassy they are building as I type? I just don't see how under any circumstances they will fly.

:) peace!

[saigon68]

4. The number of people needed to provide security ?

They have at least a platoon of troops guarding the Sheraton Hotel all the time.(the one rocketed the other night)

They will need more troops not less. The resistance will attack all the soft targets. They have the freedom to move around and strike at their own convenience.

This is classic Mao and all the others, One doesn't need a jungle in which to hide, only a portion of the citizens willing to help a little and look the other way. It is like Algeria and the French 1960-1962

And that was no good for anyone. Et ce n'était aucun bon pour n'importe qui.