U.S. Commander: More GIs Needed in Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041204/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_us_commander&cid=540&ncid=1473

MANAMA, Bahrain - The United States will boost its forces in Iraq (news - web sites) to a record number of 150,000 in coming weeks because inexperienced Iraqi troops cannot ensure security for next month's national elections, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said Saturday.

Gen. John Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command, said "it had been our hope" that troop increases before the Jan. 30 election would consist mostly of Iraqis.

But "while the Iraqi troops are larger in number than they used to be, those forces have to be seasoned more, trained more. So, it's necessary to bring more American forces," he said.

The United States currently has about 138,000 troops in Iraq. On Wednesday, the Pentagon (news - web sites) said the deployment would increase to about 150,000 by mid-January — slightly more than during the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s regime.

more

[sam sarrha]

1. and More FUCK'n Body Bags !!!

:argh:

[cliss]

6. And think of the cost.

Currently, we are spending $5.8 billion per month in Iraq alone. When the war first started, our estimated spending was $4.8.month. Then, when reality hit and the insurgency started escalating, it jumped to $5.2 per month. Now, it's gone up because of "difficulties".

Imagine how much more OUR tab will be with 150,000 troops there.

Also, this whole idea of an election is a farce. It's a plot hatched by the Neo Cons to fool us into believing there's actual progress or "democracy" going on there. Notice how Bush refuses to push back the date of the elections because of extreme instability there.

I believe the polling places will be bombed into oblivion. The whole situation is just too volatile. But they have to give us "good news" and that's why they're forging ahead.

[bemildred]

2. "it had been our hope"

Faith based military planning now.
:puke:

[Ardee]

3. More, and more and more and

more........achieving less and less and less and less........

[annabanana]

4. boots on the ground

have been saying this for a couple of years now....Should it come as any surprise that this finally gets publicity now, AFTER the election..? :think:

[Florida_Geek]

5. Good more Bush voters get vacation time in Iraq.

They voted for them they get to travel.

[neverforget]

7. "t had been our hope" uh, general, hope is not a plan. You of all

people should know that.

[opihimoimoi]

8. These people show NO SIGNS of passing Leadership 101

in HS, College, or, in a Masters Program. ZERO< NADA< NAI< PUKA< NONE

[Moderator]

9. Duplicate topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1036001