Iraqi Forces Can Handle US Troop Cuts

[Cpl Kendall]

Global Security

DATE=6/21/2005

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ CONFERENCE (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-325429

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=BRUSSELS

HEADLINE: Foreign Minister Says Iraq Can Handle US Troop Reduction

INTRO: Iraq's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, says his country can handle any cuts in the U.S. troop presence there because Iraqi forces are getting stronger. VOA's Roger Wilkison reports from Brussels, where Mr. Zebari is attending an international conference on Iraq, that the minister's comments came after a top U.S. general said a reduction of the U.S. military presence in Iraq could begin early next year.

TEXT: Mr. Zebari, speaking to reporters after meeting with officials of the NATO alliance, said a cutback of the 135-thousand U.S. troops in Iraq is feasible in the first part of 2006.

/// ZEBARI ACT ///

"The more we build our forces, our troops, and assume more responsibility, the less role the multinationals will have in IraqÂ…Â…Â…If there would be some withdrawal, let's say in early 2006, I think it would be understandable because, by then also, the capacity of our military forces would be greater and better equipped, better trained. And, already on the ground, really, there are many responsibilities that are being transferred gradually to Iraqi units from the multinational forces."

///END ACT///

The commander of U.S. military forces in Iraq, Lieutenant General John Vines, said earlier Tuesday that the U.S. military presence there could be reduced in early 2006 after a national election for a new Iraqi government in December.

Mr. Zebari also says he hopes the trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein can begin this year. But he says he cannot give a specific date.

/// 2nd ZEBARI ACT ///

"I can only say that the sooner he's brought to justice, the better. This will have an impact on the security situation, positively."

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Zebari is one of several Iraqi ministers attending Wednesday's Brussels conference, whose purpose is to give the six-week-old Iraqi government a chance to present its plans for political, economic and judicial reform to the international community.

Representatives of 80 countries and international institutions are attending the gathering, which is being co-hosted by the European Union and the United States. Among those present are United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Mr. Zebari outlines what he expects from the conference.

/// 3rd ZEBARI ACT ///

"Tomorrow, we are going to lay out our vision, our priorities, our needs to all the participants in the political, economic, justice, rule of law and security areas. And we hope that the conference will come out with a strong message of political support to the new elected Iraqi government, that there will be some follow-up, some tangible results on the pledges of donor countries, of other pledges for training, for increased support, for the security and justice institutions of our country."

/// END ACT ///

U.S. and EU diplomats say they also hope that Iraq can patch up relations with some of its neighbors, like Iran and Syria, whose foreign ministers are expected to attend the conference. The diplomats say their countries will urge the new government to give minority Sunni Arabs a say in the drafting of a constitution and will encourage several of Iraq's creditors to follow the example of the mainly Western Paris Club in slashing Iraqi debt. (Signed)

I hope those Iraqi troops are up to snuff by now, otherwise their going to get slaugtered.

[frigidmagi]

The Iraqi troops have already won several engagments with terrorist using only limited US air support (read a single chopper).

[Cpl Kendall]

The Iraqi troops have already won several engagments with terrorist using only limited US air support (read a single chopper).

Good, thats the kind of thing I want to hear. To be fair they've had a fair amount of time to get trained and properly motivated since the first time they were used and they ran off.

[frigidmagi]

Good, thats the kind of thing I want to hear. To be fair they've had a fair amount of time to get trained and properly motivated since the first time they were used and they ran off.

Well if we're going to be fair, they are risking a bit. The guys they're fighting are human scum who have nothing against the idea of cutting up their wives and childern if they find them. We're fighting people who drive car bombs into family markets and kidnap the handicap for use has human bombs.

One of the main problems is gun safety however, accidental discharges were rife in the day.

[Cpl Kendall]

Well if we're going to be fair, they are risking a bit. The guys they're fighting are human scum who have nothing against the idea of cutting up their wives and childern if they find them. We're fighting people who drive car bombs into family markets and kidnap the handicap for use has human bombs.

One of the main problems is gun safety however, accidental discharges were rife in the day.

They've been kidnapping the HANDICAPPED? That's pretty fucking low! What I want to know is why the Iraqi Forces and their families don't live in secure compounds like the US forces do.

As for weapons safety, do the Iraqi's have a system of fines for ND's like we do?

[Josh]

They've been kidnapping the HANDICAPPED? That's pretty fucking low!

I don't think any depravity by these bastards could shock me anymore. These are the holdovers of the Ba'athist fucks who made sport of the populace before the war. They're sadists with a bit of training.

[Batman]

I don't think any depravity by these bastards could shock me anymore. These are the holdovers of the Ba'athist fucks who made sport of the populace before the war. They're sadists with a bit of training.

Is there any particular reason (besides biology) we consider those fucks human?

[Josh]

I don't think any depravity by these bastards could shock me anymore. These are the holdovers of the Ba'athist fucks who made sport of the populace before the war. They're sadists with a bit of training.

Is there any particular reason (besides biology) we consider those fucks human?

I don't. But international law and all. *shrugs*

[Cynical Cat]

Is there any particular reason (besides biology) we consider those fucks human?

Mankind does not need to invent a devil, we can provide evil all by ourselves. As for living in fortified compounds, those compounds have to be built first and everyone will know who lives in them. Many Iraqis keep the fact that they work for the security forces secret to prevent retaliation against their families.

I see we have entered the "Vietnamization" phase of the war. I have very little optimism.

[Batman]

I don't think any depravity by these bastards could shock me anymore. These are the holdovers of the Ba'athist fucks who made sport of the populace before the war. They're sadists with a bit of training.

Is there any particular reason (besides biology) we consider those fucks human?

I don't. But international law and all. *shrugs*

Y'know I of all people can't advocate killing someone for something their countrymen did but Valen if I don't begin to think the Shep Solution might actually work.

[Cynical Cat]

The Shep Solution sounds nice until you start to realize that most of these evil fucks victims are their fellow Iraqis who are going to make up most of the Shep Solution casualties.

[Batman]

The Shep Solution sounds nice until you start to realize that most of these evil fucks victims are their fellow Iraqis who are going to make up most of the Shep Solution casualties.

CC, I know that. And I know the vast majority of Iraqis are victims, not perpetrators. But there's a point where you tire of trying to help a people who apparently are determined to stay medieval get to the 21st century.
So far AFAIK the question is wether the populace is either stupid or scared shitless. I'm leaning towards scared shitless, myself.

[frigidmagi]

I don't know about that. The level of cooperation with police and National Guard is raising. The average Iraqi does not see the Jihadders has trying to help him (be hard to see that when these are the guys blowing you up right?)

The problem is and always will be that the terroris have no problems getting others to come to Iraq to blow themselves and others up. BBC

Until Jr wakes himself up and secure the borders this is going to continue.

[Batman]

I don't know about that. The level of cooperation with police and National Guard is raising. The average Iraqi does not see the Jihadders has trying to help him (be hard to see that when these are the guys blowing you up right?)

Is it? I'm glad to hear that. Maybe there is hope, after all.

The problem is and always will be that the terroris have no problems getting others to come to Iraq to blow themselves and others up. BBC
Until Jr wakes himself up and secure the borders this is going to continue.

Securing those borders is going to be nigh impossible, I'm afraid. There simply isn't the manpower.

[Josh]

Long term, I think the insurgency itself is pretty fucked. They don't have the basis for a Vietnam-style campaign, and they're alienating their local support base. Furthermore, bringing in foreigners to attack their own people is ultimately horrendously self-defeating, because it actually creates a basis for unification among the populace.

That said, it's going to take a while to sort the mess out.

The Shep Solution is attractive for its simplicity, and it is easy to advocate in times of frustration. But like any guerilla war, this is a contest of endurance. It's will to stay the course that will win the day.

[Cynical Cat]

Fortunately, the insurgents don't have a superpower backing them. Unfortunately, there is the very real seeds of a civil war in Iraq. We can't leave and expect them to stabilize on their own. We have to stick it through and help them stabilize, and for the forseable future that really means we have to stabilize the country with their help.