US can forget about winning in Iraq: top retired general

[ProSense]

US can forget about winning in Iraq: top retired general

by Sig Christenson 32 minutes ago

SAN ANTONIO, United States (AFP) - The man who commanded US-led coalition forces during the first year of the Iraq war says the United States can forget about winning the war.

"I think if we do the right things politically and economically with the right Iraqi leadership we could still salvage at least a stalemate, if you will -- not a stalemate but at least stave off defeat," retired Army Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez said in an interview.

Sanchez, in his first interview since he retired last year, is the highest-ranking former military leader yet to suggest the Bush administration has fallen short in Iraq.

"I am absolutely convinced that America has a crisis in leadership at this time," Sanchez told AFP after a recent speech in San Antonio, Texas.

"We've got to do whatever we can to help the next generation of leaders do better than we have done over the past five years, better than what this cohort of political and military leaders have done," adding that he was "referring to our national political leadership in its entirety" - not just
President George W. Bush.

Sanchez called the situation in Iraq bleak, which he blamed on "the abysmal performance in the early stages and the transition of sovereignty."

He included himself among those who erred in Iraq's crucial first year after the toppling of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

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[cliss]

1. Dogs of War.

Interesting, that Mr. Sanchez surfaces at this time. Pointing fingers are we Sanchez?

For anyone who might have missed it; Gen. Sanchez was the one (among others) who was deeply involved in the Abu Ghraib prison torture scandal. It seems that he approved the use of dogs and various other methods of torture. Later, we find out he was deeply involved in torture at Gitmo.

He must have figured the heat is off and it's safe to start pointing fingers. He should just shut up, or he might just find he has company one of these nights.

[ProSense]

2. Did you miss the last line in the OP excerpt

He included himself among those who erred in Iraq's crucial first year after the toppling of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Read the rest of the article at the link.

[Donna Zen]

6. General Sanchez

was never at Gitmo. He held the command that it is currently held by Petraeous. It is because of this that he was implicated in what went on at Abu Graeb. Although he wasn't directly involved, he failed to stop it. Sanchez was a three star, while his replacement was a four star. That makes a difference in the authority he had.

I'm not defending Sanchez, I'm only trying to set the record straight.

[CJCRANE]

3. Invading Iraq and keeping it down

was a geo-strategic move that benefits many players (although not necessarily American national interests). But for the people it was designed for - it seems to be a success.

ed: sp

[calteacherguy]

4. Correction: Wes Clark is the highest ranking former military leader

to suggest that the administration has "fallen short" in Iraq (to say the least).

And Clark's been saying it for quite some time. He was against the invasion to begin with.

[FrenchieCat]

5. But Clark said it so long ago, all of his statements on this have

fallen down the memory hole!

That's what happens when you keep telling truth for too long...you get demoted, even when you have already retired!

[ProSense]

7. Tragedy buried by MSM:

US opened fire at elementary school, killed 7 children, injured 3 more