Powell acknowledges "serious" problems in Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030919/wl_mideast_afp/us_iraq_powell&cid=1514&ncid=1473

NEW YORK (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin acknowledged that serious problems remain in Iraq, but insisted the country was on the road to democratic self-government.

Writing about a recent visit to Iraq for the Wall Street Journal, Powell said "Iraq has come very far but serious problems remain, starting with security.

"American commanders and troops told me of the many threats they face -- from leftover loyalist who want to return Iraq to the dark days of Saddam (Hussein), from criminals who were set loose on Iraqi society when Saddam emptied the jails, and, increasingly, from outside terrorists who have come to Iraq to open a new front in their campaign against the civilized world."

Powell said the US-led administration in Iraq also had to make a priority of renewing the country's electrical grid, water treatment facilities and other infrastructure. He said electricity generation was now at 75 percent of the level before the US invasion but added "that figure is rising".

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[flamingyouth]

1. Wow, Powell

That was really quick...

[DeathvadeR]

11. ya a real brainiac....n/t

[saigon68]

15. NOT THROWING FLOWERS EH COLON?

didn't think so you murderer!!!!

[bobthedrummer]

2. Very statesmanlike statement.

No shit it is serious. So is being a war criminal.

[Barrett808]

3. "Hardy people, experiencing the first heady taste of freedom"

Oh, please. Wonder what Riverbend would say to this.

<On edit: added quotes>

[tabasco]

4. Notice how he refers to the opposition?

There are all some sort of evil-doers .... definitely not ordinary Iraqis fighting a foreign invader. When will they acknowledge that the Iraqis are fighting a war of liberation?

[instantkarma]

5. the word "but" negates what comes before it...

in this case, the phrase "Iraq has come very far" is rendered moot, leaving us with "serious problems remain (in Iraq), starting with security." as the only relevant part of Mr. Powell's sentence. Thank you.

Grammar Police

[The Zanti Regent]

25. the word "BUTT" fits Bojangles Powell to a T

Belafonte was right!

[Richardo]

6. Saddam's prisoner release - the new admin straw man

Hey, he emptied the prisons in October 2002, not the day before we entered Baghdad.

Those idiots knew there were criminals roaming the streets for 5 months before they invaded. Should have been part of any occupation plan, if indeed there was one.

Just this week's lame rationalization.

[fizzana]

8. Rumsfelt said the same thing yesterday

His exact words were, "How could we have known that Saddam would release over 100,000 common criminals?"

Because he did that last October, you moran.

[arcane1]

10. ah, so "common criminals" become fighters, but NOT

ordinary citizens... I see

NOT

:eyes:


getting dizzy yet, Colin?

[BuckeFushe]

7. Jeeze, where were the flower throwing Iraqi super patriots

when he bleated his statement. Since this famous quote by him:

"I don't know any details" regarding the exit of the Saudi's on 9/15 when questioned on Meet The Press, I hold him in the highest contempt.

This is for him and every member of the Shrub misadministration.




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[caledesi]

9. Hey Colin, why don't we see pics on TV of the happy "liberated" Iraqis?

<never mind>

[sham]

12. Wonder what Rum-filled and Asscraft think about that?

Sounds like Colin's getting uppity. Last I heard, Rummy & the Assman were still claiming that everything is great and that the Liberal Media (TM) just isn't reporting it fairly.

Are you trying to tell me that Rummy & the Assman were lying? No way....

[saigon68]

16. JOHNNY ASS CRACK WILL SET UP NEW PRISON SYSTEM

They need 2 new Maximum security prisons along with all the other prisons and concentration camps they already have. Mind boggling!!!!

[sspiderjohn]

13. Problems? Really? What was his first clue?

AAAGGGGGHHHHHH!

[Brucey]

14. Powell is surprised that terrorists are coming in?

But didn't Chimpy say, "Bring 'em on?"

[damnraddem]

17. Will Powell also acknowledge serious problems in the Dubya Admin?

We he note that our country is on the road away from democratic self-government?

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. It's amazing

that all of these yahoos, who were so smug and sure of themselves last year, now claim they don't know shit about anything.

We didn't expect Saddam to release his prisoners? We didn't expect people to fly airplanes into buildings?

How is it possible that the average American with internet access, knew more about what would happen then senior members of this misadministration, who had access to the best and most detailed intelligence on the planet? I getting sick and tired of hearing 'I don't know' from the very people who claimed they knew so much more than we did 6 months ago.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

19. Powell: "But... But... They aren't acting like mindless drones over ther

We're going to start broadcasting Limbaugh and Hannity 24-7. That'll show them the error of their ways.

[Spirochete]

20. Gee, Colin - ya think?

We're only going through a billion dollars and 10 soldiers a week over there. I'd call that a problem too.

[sspiderjohn]

21. So a "great statesman" just announces the obvious after it happens?

Silly me, I thought a statesman was supposed to be able to anticipate and thwart these kinds of things.

[cliss]

22. Yes, Colin. You are right.

There is a huge problem. However, you can't fix it. No matter what you try next. No matter how much money you throw at the problem. The plan was flawed to begin with.

This problem will be solved by somebody else.

[Lugnut]

23. Colin Powell = Captain Obvious.

Ya' think, Colin? OY! :eyes:

[BattyDem]

24. On Monday ...

it is expected that Powell will acknowledge that the sky is blue and the Earth is round. No word yet on whether he'll also acknowledge that water is wet.