NYT:Bremer Is Increasing Pressure for a Quick End to Iraqi Uprisings

[Trajan]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/19/international/middleeast/19IRAQ.html?hp

The New York Times

Bremer Is Increasing Pressure for a Quick End to Iraqi Uprisings

By JOHN F. BURNS and CHRISTINE HAUSER

Published: April 19, 2004


BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 18 — With no sign of a breakthrough in talks with rebels in Falluja and Najaf, the leader of the American occupation appeared to move closer on Sunday to a military showdown, saying that the rebels' failure to submit to American demands would require decisive action against those who "want to shoot their way to power."

"They must be dealt with, and they will be dealt with," the administrator, L. Paul Bremer III, said, breaking a week of silence on the confrontation with Moktada al-Sadr, an anti-American Shiite cleric, in Najaf and Sunni Muslim insurgents in Falluja. Mr. Bremer spoke of the need to bring an early end to the standoffs, to return Iraq to the political path the United States has mapped out, starting with the formal return of sovereignty on June 30.

Mr. Bremer spoke on a weekend when at least 10 American marines and soldiers were killed. The deaths, announced Sunday, pushed American troop deaths in April to more than 90, higher than the 82 who were killed in November, the largest number until this month. Nearly 700 American soldiers have been killed since the invasion of Iraq began 13 months ago.

Unofficial counts based on tallies taken at hospitals and morgues have put Iraqi casualties so far in April, including insurgents and civilians, at about 1,000 killed.

-snip-

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. I have an idea to end the crisis...

leave the country.

[AZCat]

2. I agree

As Bremer says, those who "want to shoot their way to power... they must be dealt with, and they will be dealt with."

I suspect he and I have different people in mind, though.

Does anyone in this administration have a clue as to what they are doing? Or have the repeated purges of the non-ideologically pure succeeded in banishing independent thought from the White House?

[xchrom]

3. bremmer wants to speed up

his continuing record of monumental failures in iraq.

[acmavm]

4. I often wonder if Bremer even knows exactly what he's saying, because

if he did he'd realize just exactly how arrogant and stupid he sounds.

Someone needs to put a muzzle on that guy. In fact, just restrain him in that gizmo that they had Hannibal Lector all strapped up in. But be sure to duct tape his mouth while they're at it.

[maddezmom]

5. Bremer needs to talk to the military

US set to reduce troops outside Najaf

Staff and agencies
Monday April 19, 2004

The US military today announced plans to cut the size of the force it has built up outside the holy city of Najaf.
The development comes amid signs of progress in talks to end the tense standoff with radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Colonel Dana Pittard, commander of the 2,500-strong 3rd Brigade Task Force outside Najaf - where Mr Sadr is holed up with hundreds of his Mahdi Army fighters - said the force would be withdrawn over the coming days, and would be replaced by around 2,000 soldiers from the 1st Armoured Division.

The development is the latest sign that the US commanders, who are eager to avoid a costly battle in the city, could be preparing to back away from their pledge to "kill or capture" Mr Sadr.

~snip~
more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1195093,00.html

[IMayBeWrongBut]

9. More like

They are sending an additional 2,000 troops to the outskirts of Najaf. I'm guessing they won't get around to moving the 2,500 out of the area anytime soon.

[dbt]

6. Go ahead, Bremer.

With a hornets' nest this big, you're going to need something huge to whack it with. Here. Try this Louisville Slugger. Widen your stance a little so you can get all your weight into your swing. Thaaat's it....

:freak:
dbt

[Media_Lies_Daily]

7. Let's see Bremer suit up and lead the way into Najef...that should be...

...entertaining for about 10 seconds.

[maddezmom]

8. the only suits he owns are "Brooks Brothers"

[lumpy]

10. Ironic

Bremer says the 'insurgents' must be stopped trying to "shoot their way to power". Fucking hypocrite.

[moondust]

11. Yes, hurry up. There's an election coming.

And there are dozens of claims to be made about liberation and mission accomplished and more secure and blah and blah blah and blah blah blah and...

"We will not waver" from the campaign schedule, Paul.