Bremer told Rummy more troops needed to fight insurgency but was rejected

[dajoki]

Pentagon acknowledges that Bremer recommended far more troops in Iraq in mid-2004

By ROBERT BURNS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap01-09-083747.asp?t=apnew&vts=1920061021

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 — Pentagon officials acknowledged Monday that Paul Bremer, the senior U.S. official in Iraq during the first year of the war, told Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld in May 2004 that a far larger number of U.S. troops Rumsfeld were needed to effectively fight the insurgency but his advice was rejected.

Larry Di Rita, a Rumsfeld spokesman, told reporters that Bremer made the recommendation in a memorandum and that it was the only time during his 13 months as head of the U.S. civilian occupation authority in Baghdad that he offered advice on troop levels.

''He on many (occasions) demurred when asked what the proper levels of forces were during the course of his tenure there,'' and that was appropriate because troop levels were not his direct responsibility, Di Rita said.

Di Rita said later that Bremer was never asked by Rumsfeld or other officials but was asked a number of times in news interviews. Bremer told ABC's ''Good Morning America,'' in April 2004, for example, that he deferred on this matter to U.S. generals and that as far as he knew the generals believed they had enough troops.

[fooj]

1. I heard him say that last evening on Dateline...

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Peace.

[dajoki]

2. ''He on many (occasions) demurred...

when asked what the proper levels of forces were during the course of his tenure there,'' and that was appropriate because troop levels were not his direct responsibility, Di Rita said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
He was probably told to keep his mouth shut.

[gulliver]

3. No wonder Bush and Rummy kept talking about "military commanders"

not wanting more troops. Hey, no one asked if the head of the CPA wanted more troops. Right? So it's realy not a lie to say the "military commanders" didn't ask and leave out the fact that Paul Bremer did. Right?

Now, about the word "troops." The second sleaze factor in Bush/Rummy's presentation is the word "troops." I still say we will find that the military commanders asked for more "personnel" or some other such general word, and the Bushies filled the bill with contractors. Then they just carefully repeat "no more troops needed."

Every single word these guys say needs to be carefully checked.

[dajoki]

4. you are 100% correct...

"Every single word these guys say needs to be carefully checked."