Two Generals: Making Iraq Safe For Terrorists

[ulTRAX]

This was on this morning's Morning Edition.... and there's an expanded version of the interview on line
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1837816

Retired Generals See Difficult Situation in Iraq
April 15, 2004 -- The U.S. faces a very difficult military and political outlook as it prepares to meet a June 30 deadline for transferring power in Iraq, former U.S. Army say. NPR's Bob Edwards discusses the situation with Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey and Retired Lt. Gen. William Odom.

McCaffrey says the United States entered Iraq with a "grossly anemic" military force and probably will need a United Nations-led military presence for a transfer to succeed. He says it probably will take a year or two for Iraqi institutions to be built and security and stability to come to that country. Odom says the U.S.-led war to oust Saddam Hussein has had the unintended consequence of making Iraq safe for terrorists and other anti-U.S. movements "and they're breeding them rapidly."

McCaffrey was commander of the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division during the 1991 Persian Gulf War and served as drug czar under President Clinton. Odom was director of the National Security Agency from 1985-88.

[Az_lefty]

1. These Generals are right

and exactly the people the shrub should have been listening too. The shrub thought he could win the war on the "cheap" and quickly, like the Gulf War. It's hard to believe bush was so stupid to think invading Iraq would result in mass surrenders and an almost immediate turn to democracy. I met some British troops in Iraq and they were actually told "96 hour war". Freeking unbelievable.

[Adelante]

2. Make that three Generals

Wes did his commentary yesterday.

Commentary: Clark on Iraq, Bush Plan

All Things Considered audio

April 14, 2004

In the first of a series of commentaries by public figures with substantial military experience, retired Gen. Wesley Clark talks about the situation in Iraq. Clark says the Bush administration can win the war against insurgents by focusing on a political solution to the conflict.

http://www.npr.org/rundowns/rundown.php?prgDate=14-Apr-2004&prgId=2

Third story down.