US, Iraqis in 'broad strategic agreement': Gates

[Barrett808]

US, Iraqis in 'broad strategic agreement': Gates
by Jim Mannion

BAGHDAD (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the United States and the Iraqi government are in "broad strategic agreement" on how to bring security to Baghdad, and that their generals would work up a specific plan.

Winding up a three-day visit for a first-hand assessment of the situation, Gates said he would report to President George W. Bush as early as this weekend on his findings and impressions.

As Gates spoke outside the US military headquarters at "Camp Victory," the crackle of gunfire and the roar of the US military aircraft could be heard in the distance.

"This is a very difficult situation," Gates said. "But I believe based on what I have heard and seen both from American commanders and the Iraqis that things are moving in a positive direction."

Gates said the Iraqis had put forward concrete plans for restoring security, but gave no details. Nor would he say whether a surge in US troops was part of the plan.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061222/pl_afp/usiraqmilitarygates

[Missy M]

1. Gates is on the Bush message....

"things are moving in a positive direction". Somehow I have a feeling he won't be any different than Rumsfeld.

[Barrett808]

2. Really. How can he say this with a straight face? n/t

[Paulie]

3. He'll be different

The "known unknown known" will become with Gates, "I don't know." Know the difference! :)

Positive direction... First you decimate, then you "centimate." One group or another will find that to be positive. :sarcasm:

[asjr]

5. How much longer can this charade continue? Did

the Democrats go along with Gates because he is not Rumsfeld? One thing I think the Democrats have not learned is that the WH and Republicans simply can not be trusted. Gates seems to be playing his role very well. It must mean we will have more of the same. And how many more countries will we invade in order to democratize?

[global1]

6. The Dems Supported Gates To Be SOD And Now They Will Be Stuck.....

supporting his findings and report back to * that he supports the 'surge'. Otherwise they will be made to look weak on the war/terror and that they flip-flopped on Gates in such a short period of time. *Co has essentially put the Dems back into the same position they were in afer 9/11 and the vote to give * free reign. They'll never learn.

[MidwestTransplant]

4. He means: We have a stretegic agreement to come up with a plan.

This guys are so pathetic, it would be funny if people weren't dying as a result of their incompetence.

[MGKrebs]

7. Let's read between the lines, shall we?

"broad strategic agreement" + "would work up a specific plan." implies that a plan doesn't exist, therefore, all we CAN agree on is a broad strategy. However...

"the Iraqis had put forward concrete plans" so clearly we do NOT agree to that plan.

One can conclude that the "broad strategic plan" is something along the lines of: "The US will make the plans".

Also, as far as Gates reporting his "findings and impressions", why such soft words? What about reporting "facts", or even an "assessment", or a provide something more like a "status report". "Impressions"? Please. We need a little more than that from the SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. May I suggest that it is because George has already indicated that he doesn't give a shit what the facts are, or what the situation on the ground is, or what the Generals say. He's going to do whatever HE wants to do, and clearly there is more (or less) that goes into his decision than the strategic and tactical assessments of the professional soldiers, or even informed opinions of world leaders everywhere. One is left with the inescapable conclusion that things like personal legacy, ego, party politics, or just plain incompetence are what is holding up the decision making process.

[Barrett808]

8. Nice. n/t

[rodeodance]

9. scccccchhhhh. don't tell the bad guys

"This is a very difficult situation," Gates said. "But I believe based on what I have heard and seen both from American commanders and the Iraqis that things are moving in a positive direction."

Gates said the Iraqis had put forward concrete plans for restoring security, but gave no details. Nor would he say whether a surge in US troops was part of the plan.