Rumsfeld in Iraq, Says Unhappy with Iran, Syria

[UpInArms]

http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=3388430

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Baghdad on Thursday, saying neighboring Syria and Iran were not doing enough to stop an influx of anti-American fighters into Iraq.

Rumsfeld, on an unannounced visit to the occupied country, will meet military commanders and soldiers and have a closer look at a deteriorating security situation in Iraq.

"We are unhappy about the fact that people come across the Syrian and Iranian border. They know we are unhappy about it," Rumsfeld told reporters on the plane that flew him in to Baghdad.

<snip>

"The U.S. intelligence community has imperfect visibility," he said. :wtf:

...more...

Will someone please stuff a sock in this idiot's mouth???? (note to moderators: I am in no way inciting violence toward any member of the current misadministration - it is merely a rhetoric question :) )

[hang a left]

1. OK I get it now

I was wondering, what the hell is he doing in the gulf. Stirring up shit for WWIII

[bif]

2. What does he expect them to do?

Post a million soldiers along each border to keep the Jihadists from crossing over? God what an idiot!

[Marlie]

4. All he's good for

All he does is point fingers at other people. He should take
a good look at himself.

[ixion]

9. when you point your finger at someone

three more fingers are pointing back at you.
(thanks to Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits for that one.)

[DuctapeFatwa]

14. Maybe he can have Israel build a fence

Or, they could go occupy Iran and Syria. Expand, Greater Israel, you know.

[underpants]

3. Funny this NYT article praises the work of the 101st on the Syrian border

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/04/international/worldspecial/04NORT.html

His orders were simple — to work out agreement between local sheiks and Iraqi customs officials to restore trade with Syria. What was unusual was that the decision had been initiated not by the State Department or civilian administrators in Baghdad, but by Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of the Army's 101st Airborne Division and the dominant political figure in Mosul and the surrounding areas in northern Iraq.

Three months later, there is a steady stream of cross-border traffic, and the modest fees that the division set for entering Iraq — $10 per car, $20 per truck — have raised revenue for expanded customs forces and other projects in the region.

Another factor has been an American commander who approached so-called nation-building as a central military mission and who was prepared to act while the civilian authority in Baghdad was still getting organized.

[AlabamaYankee]

22. Nice Find

That General is obviously one of those suspect Clinton holdovers who hasn't yet gotten with the program. After all, he's actually being effective as a peacekeeper and - heaven forbid - a nation builder, rather than as a warmonger.

[feminazi]

26. that's a great article.

thanks for the post.

[benfranklin1776]

5. Those dreams of world domination and conquest, ala PNAC......

...die hard for Don eh? He is still pushing their plan like the obsessed madman that he has shown himself to be. Too bad Don sends others to do his dirty work. Since he is in the region he should pick up a rifle and take on some of those who his boss challenged to "bring it on." Of course like all soulless CEO types he just gives orders, and others bear the catastrophic brunt of his idiotic delusions.

[salin]

6. IMO - this is WHY Rummy will back UN in Iraq

to free up troops for his next escapade.

But - in his short sightedness he (they) seem to have a major disconnect. If they concede the need for UN involvement in Iraq, then they will be compelled to work through the UN for the future desired escapades (Syria and Iran, not to mention the other storm brewing, North Korea). AND they have not built a reputation for building legitimate rationales for their wars.

PNAC, if it hasn't already, is about to self-implode.

[RedEarth]

7. Look Out.....Iran and Syria are next.....

Here we go again, rummy has his sites set on these two countries. Actually, I couldn't imagine that we would attack either of these two countries, however.....an election is coming up.

[ixion]

8. which is exactly why the UN will probably not be helpful

because they're fully aware of PNAC and its evil plan to rule the world.

[gratuitous]

10. Yep, that how it translates to me

We don't have the resources to prosecute what we have going right now, but Rummy don't know from troop strength, morale, or rotation. We have 33 divisions and only 21 are currently engaged. That means there's another 12 that could be out there whuppin' ass!

[Aidoneus]

11. Rummy & what army?

Israel could maybe handle the terrorizing of Lebanon again (and there's already the provocations for that again lately), but unless some sudden rush of mercenaries appear Rumsfeld & crew don't exactly have an army to attack Iran & Syria with (no attack on any of the 3 would be any limited engagement, and a very different thing from knocking over a strangled and bombed Iraq).

just a bit of sabre rattlin', pandering to the "NUKE THE MOSQUES AND CUT THEIR CUTS OUT" faction of their base.

[0007]

12. Rumsfield is just working for the good of brotherhood

........and the folks in America aren't happy with Rumsfield.

[xchrom]

13. he just wants to remind them

they are still in the cross hairs -- and if this shit in iraq cools down for just a second, we're comin for ya.

[Zero Gravitas]

15. US Unhappy With Rumsfeld's running of Iraq War

[MRDU]

16. So he's going to meet with the soldiers

i bet he won't be meeting with Spc. Clinton Deitz

"If Donald Rumsfeld were sitting here in front of us, what would you say to him?"

"If he was here," said Pfc. Jason Punyahotra, "I would ask him why we're still here, why we've been told so many times and it's changed."

In the back of the group, Spc. Clinton Deitz put up his hand. "If Donald Rumsfeld was here," he said, "I'd ask him for his resignation."

[DemoVet]

17. And do you know what

I'd tell Rummy if I were Iran and Syria? "Yeah? You and what army? Oh, that one that's going to be tied up in Iraq for the next two decades or so. Right. We're shaaaaaaakin!"

This is why the UN should tell Bush to take a hike when he comes whimpering to them for a new resolution, now that the Iraqis and al-Queda have his nuts in a vise. So should all of those "chocolate-making" countries he disparaged prior to the invasion. And if they do agree to provide troops and resources, do it only if the agreement is on THEIR terms, with the US reduced to mere participant, albeit footing most of the bill.

Pride cometh before a fall, never more true than in this situation.

[ignatius]

18. Note to Rumsfeld...shut the

F up you arrogant,vile, warmonger. Haven't enought people died to appease ypur blood habit yet?

[rucky]

19. Meanwhile, Back In North Korea...(n/t)

[cmd]

20. Rummy, "Am I an idiot?"

"Of course I am."

[Snellius]

21. Rummy's a limp noodle

He blew his wad prematurely. So what's he have left for Syria and Iran no less. Instead of putting the most powerful army on earth at the geopolitical axis of evil, he has a worn-out, undermanned, depleted force surrounded by enemies with no real defense. It's like Operation Anaconda on a bigger scale.

[alfredo]

23. If Syria and Iran put troops on the border

to stop the flow of fighters, would that be seen as a provocation by the Bushitters?

the Syrians and Iranians have moved troops to the border, we need more money, more troops, less bill of rights protection at home!

[Flying_Pig]

24. Yes, ve stir up der pot, ...unt maybe der be....

another war for us! Gut! Ve must do as our brudders in PNAC have agreed! Jah! :evilgrin:
<http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,287510,00.jpg>

[Ouabache]

25. Rumsfeld represents the Occupying Power in Iraq

The occupying power of any country is resposible for the security of that occupied country's borders.

It's in international law and agreements that go way back, Donald.
You can look it up.

This is just the ramped up PR on Iraq that we have been told to expect. Problem is that RUMSFELD as the SOD of the occupying power is responsible for the security of Iraq's borders.

Another screw-up from these adventurists in the white house, and they are trying to PR their way out of it.