Wesley Clark Criticizes Surprise U.S./Iraq Government Hand Over

[JI7]

<The official hand-over took place around 10:30 Monday morning. Ambassador Paul Bremer exchanged a one-page letter granting sovereignty to the interim leaders. The founding fathers of the new Iraq, the ministers of an interim government, were sworn in just hours after the hand-over.

Ambassador Paul Bremer granted sovereignty and immediately left the country, all this two-days ahead of schedule. The whole process was kept secret in an effort to block potential terrorists. "The Iraqi authority now and the government of Iraq will be handling the situation whether it's security or economy, and this is a big day for us."

Many Democrats are criticizing the surprise hand-over. General Wesley Clark (website/newsbio) says the move is a matter of domestic U.S. politics. "It’s an effort by the administration to portray progress in Iraq when in fact, the sad fact is, the situation for security is deteriorating in Iraq and that's why we've had to put more American forces there."

Meanwhile, the news reached President Bush (website/newsbio) at the NATO summit in Turkey, where he shook hands with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. For both men, the hand-over is a relief. "The Iraqi people have their country back." >

http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0604/155913.html

[madrchsod]

1. they have their country back?????

what in the fuck is left of it??? in the early 90`s it was a first world country now after 14 yrs of american destruction there isn`t a fucking thing we haven`t destroyed. we are such arrogant assholes

[FrenchieCat]

2. Suuuure.....

We gave them their country back...that we took? What about control over the oil and the reconstruction? We still have the US Shadow Government aka The New 3,000 personnel strong U.S. Embassy...the largest in the world! Guess that must be one American "embassy personnel" for each Iraqi running a Department over there...or is it 2 Americans for each Iraqi running a department over there.

And don't get me started on the 19 Billion dollars that we are hanging over their heads like a carrot.

Are we supposed to be that stupid?

Handover in name only.
The presstitutes won't tell us that though....They are the best pretenders I have ever seen.....since they do know better...unlike the innocent sheeples!

[spooky3]

3. I'm in favor of the transition, but as long as there are thousands of

US troops over there, they're still targets. Any bounce * gets from this will be extremely temporary.

[Bucky]

4. The other reason for moving up the handover is neutering insurgents

If you formally handover power a couple of days early, it could have the salutory effect of demotivating some insurgent-sympathizers. I'm sure we'll still see a few June 30th-related attacks. But if it keeps even one car from blowing up at a hotel or industrial site, it's a good move.

Of course w/in a couple of weeks the handover could be seen to be a sham, in which case the nutcases start bombing people again. But at least it buys us more time for the moment.

[funky_bug]

7. *clears throat*

Your sig line needs revamped... not "yet another," Bucky... you are the originator of "Wes Clark Democrat."

*Toots horn*

Nice to see you back!

[cosmokramer]

5. The General is correct...

...this is nothing but the GOP Dog and Pony show.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. That's my Wes!

Always tellin' it like it is! The whole thing is a charade. :eyes:

[cosmokramer]

8. See also CNN thread wherein Clark SLAMS Bush on the handover...

[Gloria]

9. On the Today Show he also said it was political and said it was an

act of desperation....because if a statement really wanted to be made to the Iraqi people, there would have been pomp and ceremony.

Wes, Wes, Wes..!!!!