Crocker wants 'honest discussion' on Iraq

[bemildred]

Source: UPI

WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, said the United States needs to consider the consequences before it develops an effective exit strategy from Iraq.

Crocker, in an interview with WTOP-FM in Washington, said there needed to be "an honest discussion" about the scenario in Iraq following a withdraw of U.S. military forces.

The long-term strategy involving the military engagement in Iraq plays into any assessment of the commitment there, the ambassador said.

"If we decide we don't want to do it anymore, we don't want to maintain the level of engagement that we've got now. We have to look in a very sober way at what the consequences of that could be," Crocker said.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/International_Security/Emerging_Threats/Briefing/2008/03/31/crocker_wants_honest_discussion_on_iraq/7634/

[MercutioATC]

1. How the hell did Crocker get appointed Ambassador to Iraq?

...he actually makes sense.

[bemildred]

3. Even a loyal stooge can wake up sometimes.

I was just interested that it was OK to talk about leaving in a rational way now. Well, let's see if he gets fired, before we believe that it's OK.

[TomInTib]

5. Read my respose, bemildred...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3250853&mesg_id=3250862

Big difference.

[bemildred]

6. I don't see your point.

He says:

the United States needs to consider the consequences before it develops an effective exit strategy from Iraq.

He IS talking about an "effective" exit strategy. That doesn't mean he has suddenly become a beacon of light and reason, but it does mean he considers butt-covering is an appropriate activity in the context of the situation in Iraq.

[TomInTib]

9. No...

He is not talking about an "exit strategy".

He is talking about "considering the consequences".

Right down the effing rabbit-hole.

[bemildred]

12. Whatever you say. nt

[Doctor_J]

14. Sounds to me like he's WARNING AGAINST LEAVING

just like every other BFEE mouthpiece.

[bemildred]

15. Yep, apparently some people see it that way. nt

[ananda]

17. I saw it that way too.

As just another excuse to keep troops there.

I'm just waiting to see what happens when
there's no more oil or big money contracts
left.

[TomInTib]

4. Oh, come on....

Dont believe everything you read.

When he says:
"If we decide we don't want to do it anymore, we don't want to maintain the level of engagement that we've got now. We have to look in a very sober way at what the consequences of that could be," Crocker said.

He is actually saying:
"If we decide we don't want to do it anymore - we don't want to maintain the level of engagement that we've got now - we have to look in a very sober way at what the consequences of that could be," Crocker said.

Print versions of a verbal exchange can mean very different things, depending on punctuation.

Big difference.

[MercutioATC]

7. Actually, that's the way I read it anyway...

...I always look for different spins.

...and I still think it's radically different than anything the administration's saying right now. Crocker is discussing the possibility without screaming that the sky will fall...but still emphasizing the need for planning. That's one hell of a lot more than I've seen so far...and it's honest.

[TomInTib]

10. This is how I see it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3250853&mesg_id=3250881

[gateley]

2. Let's see just how sincere he is:

Here's the SFRC schedule and we can see for ourselves. (Thanks to JoeIsOneOfUs for the info!)

http://foreign.senate.gov/hearing.html

Usually on one of the c-span online feeds live, or archived later on the SFRC page. Lists of speakers at the link; their written statement (intro) usually posted there just before or after the hearing. Petraeus and Crocker on the 8th.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
THE SITUATION IN IRAQ
Time: 2:30 P.M.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008
IRAQ AFTER THE SURGE: MILITARY PROSPECTS
Time: 9:30 A.M.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008
IRAQ AFTER THE SURGE: POLITICAL PROSPECTS
Time: 2:30 P.M.

Thursday, April 3, 2008
IRAQ 2012: WHAT CAN IT LOOK LIKE, HOW DO WE GET THERE?
Time: 9:30 A.M.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008
IRAQ AFTER THE SURGE: WHAT NEXT?
Time: 2:30 P.M.

[MercutioATC]

8. O.K....they need to hold meetings on every available workday...but

why does "The Situation In Iraq" have to fall on April Fool's Day?

[Magleetis]

11. The US

will have an honest discussion about Iraq in Jan 09. Till then its the same old lies and deceit.

[Doctor_J]

13. I guess you'd better not invite anyone from the Smirk admin then

or anyone from the US media, or any of the generals who have sucked up to Cheney long enough to still have a job.

[harun]

23. Whether it is Obama or Hillary they need to seriously clean house

of all Smirk admin, 100%.

[Alcibiades]

16. We have to be responsible in Iraq

Why does "responsible" always seem to mean "commit ourselves to a torturously expensive quagmire forever?"

I know what the consequences are staying are. We don't really even know what the consequences of leaving would be. Why worry about what Rumsfeld would call known unknowns?

[coalition_unwilling]

19. Wouldn't that be, in the Rumsfailed lexicon, an "unknown unknown"?

[LynnTheDem]

18. And continue to TOTALLY IGNORE what the overwhelming majority of IRAQIS want!

Coz we know what's best for them dumb little camel jockeys anyways.

Us being ubermenschen and all.

[coalition_unwilling]

20. And a convincing majority of what Americans want (60-65% favor

withdrawal within 6 months, according to recent public opinion polls).

[humbled_opinion]

21. What we need is real Leadership.

That is what is truly lacking.

[harun]

22. How about honestly looking at the consequences of staying? (n/t)

[spanone]

24. fuck you ryan crocker...the consequences are over 4000 dead americans for no reason

[fshrink]

25. What is the goal?

No goal, no strategy. No strategy, no tactics. Result: a very powerful and malleable political tool and lots of dead people.

[damntexdem]

26. Hmm, an honest discussion before EXITING Iraq?

Wouldn't it have been better to have one before INVADING Iraq?

How about a compromise: leave Iraq THEN have the discussion?

;-)

[freethought]

27. Sure! Right after the mortar barrages stop on the green zone.

Would that be a good time for you Mr. Crocker?
IDIOT!

[Supersedeas]

28. Is this a concession that without US troops, even after all this time, Iraq would crumble--where's

the progress!!!!!!