US Defense Secretary Warns of Massive Bloodshed in Iraq if US Military Operations Curtailed

[babylonsister]

http://voanews.com/english/2007-04-05-voa64.cfm

US Defense Secretary Warns of Massive Bloodshed in Iraq if US Military Operations Curtailed
By Michael Bowman
Washington
05 April 2007

Bowman report (Real Audio) - Download 318K audio clip
Listen to Bowman report (Real Audio) audio clip

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says restricting U.S. military operations in Iraq could unleash massive bloodshed among the country's warring factions. VOA's Michael Bowman reports from Washington, where leaders of the opposition-led Congress are threatening to cut off most forms of military spending in Iraq if President Bush does not agree to a timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces from the country.

Speaking on a domestic radio program Thursday, Gates warned of "ethnic cleansing inside Baghdad or in Iraq more broadly," if U.S. troops curtail operations in the strife-ridden nation.

Speaking with reporters at the Pentagon hours later, the secretary used somewhat milder language, but his point was the same.

"I believe that if we were to precipitously withdraw from Baghdad at this point, there would be a dramatic increase in sectarian violence," he said.

Gates said, prematurely winding down U.S. military operations would allow bands of murderers to roam free in Iraq.

"Those who are being tortured and being killed are being killed by death squads," he said. "By hit squads. This is not a large number of people turning out onto the streets and killing each other."

more...

[Blue_In_AK]

1. What's the difference?

It's either drip, drip, drip or all of a sudden and get it over with. Sadly, I'm afraid many will die, no matter what we do.

[hobbit709]

2. And the difference between that and now is?

[CrazyOrangeCat]

3. Might have thought about that four years ago.

Murderous neocons. :grr:

[bowens43]

4. Like there isn't massive bloodshed now?

Where do they get these neo-con lunatics?

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. Massive Bloodshed in Iraq if US Military Operations Aren't Curtailed

too. Take your pick. What about the oil?

[ixion]

6. lol... the hypocrisy in that statement is glaring, IMO

Curtailing military action = more blooshed.

Gotta love that military intelligence. :dunce: :crazy:

[The Magistrate]

7. There Will Be, Ma'am

But it makes no difference at all: it is in the best interest of the United States to depart Iraq, and it is the desire of the people of the country this be done.

[marylanddem]

8. Since when has a little extra bloodshed among the Iraqis

bothered this blood-thirsty crew? We have backed ourselves into the green zone and the vaunted Petrayis or whatever
the fuck his name is and the rest of them can line up to start boarding the Vietnam-escape-style heliocopters now.

[1620rock]

10. Why would there be more bloodletting? There is no civil war???

[bluerum]

9. And then, then, once they are done causing massive blooshed over there -

they will bring their blood lust over HERE. And then, they will kill everyone with clubs and their bare hands. They will rape the women, young boys and kick all the dogs. Survivors will be made to convert to some non-christian religion. They will take away FAUX news and make you eat HUMUS!!

ALL STARBUCKS STORES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SERVE TURKISH COFFEE!!!

[MasonJar]

11. Let's see Secretary Gates and how will that square with the number

from our very own shock and awe?

[Clarkie1]

12. It could. nt

[RacingBobbie]

13. Mistakes, after mistakes

They have not gotten anything right from the beginning, why do they think they are right now?