Snow: Main purpose of Iraq invasion was to train Iraqi forces

[kurth]

U.S. says cannot "subdue every bad guy" in Iraq
Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:44pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Amid unrelenting violence in Iraq, President George W. Bush's spokesman said on Wednesday the top goal of U.S. troops is to train Iraqi forces, and not trying to "subdue every bad guy in the country."

"As a matter of fact, the central mission to the United States is to train Iraqi forces so they can do the job. They get better intelligence. They know the people who are there. It is their country. And it's their obligation and responsibility," spokesman Tony Snow said on MSNBC.

A classified assessment by Col. Peter Devlin, parts of which became public this week, concluded that the situation in Anbar province, a vast western desert considered the Sunni Muslim insurgency's heartland, is grim and will deteriorate without an infusion of U.S. troops and aid.

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Richard Zilmer, the top U.S. commander in western Iraq, told reporters on Tuesday he agreed with Devlin's assessment...

http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-09-13T184355Z_01_N13196788_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-USA.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsHome-C1-topNews-5

[Avalux]

1. But......I thought it was to fight the terraists...

....so we don't have to fight them here?? I wish they'd quit messing with my head like this. :silly:

[MADem]

4. And before that it was Saddam, and them WMDs, and OH, let us not

fergit them FREEDOM LOVIN' PEE-PULLS.....

My my my....the excuses just keep on a-comin'!!!!

[zbdent]

14. Naw, it was because Saddam tried to kill 43's daddy!

[MADem]

16. Wha, durnit, yer right!! I fergot ALL about that one!!! NT

[MaineDem]

2. "Is" or "was"?

I would think it IS the main goal now.

If it WAS the reason for the invasion that makes it what number reason for the invasion???

On edit...I just read the article. Granted, I read it quickly but I don't think it ever said the reason for the invasion was to train the troops.

[enigma000]

6. Sounds like "is"

I doubt it could be suggested this was the point of the invasion. The point of the occupation, yes.

[enid602]

3. snowjob

Is that an admission that the Administration erred by disbanding the old Iraqi military?

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. This makes, what, the sixth explanation of why we conquered Iraq?

Sad to say, I've lost count. Let's see, there was "Payback for the 9/11 attacks" then "Saddam has a vast arsenal of WMDs ready to wipe out the United States," then "Bring Saddam to justice," then "Bring democracy to Iraq," then "Prevent extremist Muslims from taking over the country," now this. Or am I missing one or two?

[HereSince1628]

7. I think that's misreading the statement...

It seems to me it is a comment on their current role rather than a reason for invasion.

[MaineDem]

8. I agree with you. n/t

[warrens]

9. Next up: Our troops were getting fat and they needed exercise

[MADem]

17. Quick there, fatboys! Run, run, run!!! Towards the light at the end of

the tunnel!!! When you get there, TURN the corner!!!

Oi!!!

[Jacobin]

10. Iraqi troops will never support the puppet government

They will never ever ever do that. Mr. SnowJob, Please see: Viet Nam, where we tried the exact, precise, same thing. We called it the 'Vietnamization' of the war. Is Mr. SnowJob calling this the Iraqization of the War?

[Bluebear]

11. Oh, I thought it was to find weapons of mass destruction

Silly me.

[MichiganVote]

13. That's like soooo last year blue

[MichiganVote]

12. Next explan: Increase property values in Iraq for the world

[catnhatnh]

15. We are not allowed to lie either...

And your post starts with one.