"We never had enough troops on the ground.".....L. Paul Bremer

[No2W2004]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=2&u=/nm/20041005/ts_nm/iraq_bremer_troops_dc

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. intervention in Iraq (news - web sites) was hampered early on by a lack of adequate forces and efforts to contain looting after the ouster of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), according to the former U.S. administrator in Iraq.

"We paid a big price for not stopping it because it established an atmosphere of lawlessness," Paul Bremer said in a speech reported by The Washington Post on Tuesday. "We never had enough troops on the ground."

Bremer's comments echoed charges by administration critics who argue that the U.S. government failed to plan adequately to maintain security in post-war Iraq, the newspaper said.

In the speech on Monday at an insurance conference in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Bremer said U.S. plans for the postwar period erred in projecting what would happen after Hussein's demise, focusing on preparing for humanitarian relief and widespread refugee problems rather than a bloody insurgency now being waged by at least four well-armed factions, according to the Post.

"There was planning, but planning for a situation that didn't arise," Bremer was quoted as saying.

[TahitiNut]

1. Or apparently under it. But they're getting closer.

:grr:

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. BS! here was planning, but planning for a situation that didn't arise,

I never saw any evidence that they planned for anything but protection of the oil fields. This is pure fabrication from a failed wanna be John Kennedy look a like. If any of this was true, why didn't the bastard ever say anything at the time?

[No2W2004]

4. The interesting thing is

that one of Shrubco's toadies isn't talking about the "great successes" we are having in Iraq.

Another part of the article states that Bremmers coments were not ment for the public and were "off the record"

the "planning for the wrong contengency" crap will probably be another talking point for shrubco.

[fishface]

8. That's always been one of my arguements with wingnutz.

IF Saddams WMD's were such a THREAT, why was NO ONE assigned to secure those so called 'known locations' of them and the nuke facilities which allowed them to be looted along with all the technical information and records that could have indicated how far they were in developing their weapons and who if anyone they had shared the weapons or information. You just draw the typical blank stare of a Busbot when you ask them those type of hard questions.

[Miss Authoritiva]

3. I dunno.

"An atmosphere of lawlessness" really doesn't quite cover it.

Bremer says, "We never had enough troops on the ground." Okay, who's going to be the big brave journalist and ask him if he ever mentioned this to Bush? And which Senator or Congressman is going to subpoena him and ask Bremer about this under oath?

[KlatooBNikto]

6. The term "lawlessness" is being applied by an invader's cleanup

men to people who won't bend to his will.FYI Bremer, it is called patriotism by Iraqis.They don't have to accept the laws you impose on them.

[Jack_Dawson]

5. There goes Bremer's 401(k)

[KlatooBNikto]

7. If Bremer started with a 401(k), it is more like a 201(k) by now after

his war, anyway.

[Justice]

9. This is a Huge Story. Kerry and Edwards Will Use This Information

[UTUSN]

10. Exactly Why Is This NOT Being Trumpeted Everywhere?

The frontman for ShrubCo admitting "two" big mistakes (after the previous HUGE ones of Iraq-attacking to begin with). Don ANUS sluffed it off this morning.

[Lakerstan]

11. Rumsfeld...Bremmer...Major speech coming...something not right here.

I don't know what it is, but something smells fishy..

[ChickMagic]

12. Maybe I'm a sucker

but when Bremer gave his "We got him" speech at Centcom and the Arab journalists went wild, Bremer actually looked sincere and touched by the display. That was the one and only time I ever felt any humanity from this bunch. It passed quickly.