Clark conference call on Iraq/Aafghanistan....missed this one!

[Gloria]

It's a couple of days old, but I've been slow at reading some of my digests...anyway, Clark was talking to the press about Iraq before yesterday's appearances on Wolf and CNBC...


http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=ak1YBTTda2MI&refer=top_world_news


Bush Says U.S. to Ensure Hussein Remains in Jail (Update1)

June 15 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said the U.S. will ensure deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein remains in jail and undergoes trial after the U.S. hands over sovereignty in Iraq June 30.

(SNIP)


Bush and his aides say the attacks are an effort to derail the
June 30 transfer of power in Iraq. Retired General Wesley Clark,
on a conference call arranged by the campaign of Bush's Democratic
rival, John Kerry, said the June 30 deadline is "politically
motivated" and the administration is compromising goals such as
training of security forces to meet it.
>
> Risks
>
The U.S. military is trying to reduce its risks and hand over more
power to the Iraqis, and this must be carefully done, Clark said.
"If it results in the creation of armed and empowered militia with
regional allegiances, then it risks raising the strategic specter
of civil conflict as the American withdrawal commences," Clark
said.

MORE


and apparently from the same call....on Afghanistan....a "diversion"
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/8930711.htm



Bush pledges more security resources to Afghanistan

BY G. ROBERT HILLMAN

The Dallas Morning News

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Declaring that Afghanistan is no longer a "terrorist factory," President Bush on Tuesday pledged new resources to better secure the country and foster its new democracy.

(snip)

In separate statements and in the question-and-answer session that followed, Bush and Karzai highlighted what they see as a much better Afghanistan since the U.S.-led invasion toppled the ruling Taliban after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks nearly three years ago.

(snip)

And retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, speaking for Democrat John Kerry's presidential campaign on Tuesday, reiterated charges that Bush's decision to invade Iraq had distracted from U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and in the broader international war against terrorism.

"The Pentagon and the administration decided that Afghanistan would be an economy-of-force effort, while they prepared to go to war with Iraq," Clark charged. "As a result, the security forces were inadequate. The economic assistance and provision for long-term reconstruction was inadequate. And people in Afghanistan have had to make do with far less support in the transition to a new form of government."

more

[DEMVET-USMC]

1. I hope W.Clark is Kerry`s V.P..We need a man with Clark`s intelligence,

experience,and proven abilities to help lead our Nation during this difficult time. ...Oscar

[cosmokramer]

2. I second that!

[Scoopie]

3. Thank you for your service, DemVet

and AMEN on your comments!

[DEMVET-USMC]

5. Well thank you scoopie for your kind gesture.

I wish well, now and always, ...Oscar

[Jax]

4. Thank you Gloria

You are truly an internet gem.

Stellar, important work as always.

Jax

[Gloria]

6. Just passing along what other Clarkies found and posted to

various groups....

[juajen]

7. Clark always has Kerry's back

A good duo. Kerry can rest and concentrate on other issues, while Clark carries the water on our simultaneous wars; and, IMHO, he carries it brilliantly. Hard to find anyone with his expertise. Don't know where Kerry will use Clark, or even if Clark will be willing to help out once the campaign is over, but this country needs both of them desperately.

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. This is what Wes has said all along...from day one and he was RIGHT!

The Pentagon and the administration decided that Afghanistan would be an economy-of-force effort, while they prepared to go to war with Iraq," Clark charged. "As a result, the security forces were inadequate. The economic assistance and provision for long-term reconstruction was inadequate. And people in Afghanistan have had to make do with far less support in the transition to a new form of government."


And LOOK! He was speaking FOR the Kerry campaign....meaning, Kerry trusts the man to represent HIS campaign. Pretty impressive. Wes is one hell of an impressive man...in more ways than one. :loveya:


speaking for Democrat John Kerry's presidential campaign on Tuesday

[annabanana]

9. Dems and real Republicans know it...

(Not the Neo-conmen, though) Wes Clark has called it from day one. And, baby-step by baby-step, the administration has been forced to go in the direction that Clark had seen clearly from the first Afgan to Iraq diversion.