Is the End of the Iraq War/Occupation Near?

[PapaPark]

Article Here (http://www.guerrillanews.com/headlines/1750/A_Rice_Wolfowitz_Exit_Plan_Is_the_End_of_the_Iraq_ War_Occupation_Near)

Just curious how ya'll think this will effect things if we leave early....

[copper13]

Iraq leaders have stated before that they think they can have stability in 18 months. so an exit might be in the planning stage? but I think we will keep some troops there for generation to come.And remember we are libarators, not occupiers!

[Slippery Pete]

From what I've seen, I think the US government is making plans to stay permanently. There are a lot of improvements being made to my base, things that are way to expensive to justify if we're only going to be here another couple years.

The Bush Administration has said that we will pull out if the Iraqi government asks us to, and I believe that. But even when Iraq becomes self-sufficient, there are lots of reasons they'd want us to stay. For one thing, our presense would deter any invasions from any other countries (Iran and Syria, mainly). Also, having American troops in any country, especially a poor one, is a boon to the local economy. And ongoing training with the Iraqi Army would benefit both countries. Don't forget, we still haven't gotten around to leaving Japan, Germany, or Korea.

[BrerRabbit]

Years ago I read that the long term plan was to replace the bases the Saudis kicked us out of. As soon as Iraq is capable of policing itself a Division or two would move to bases away from most of the population centers. The military is gonna be there a long time. We are the only ones that can protect the flow of oil.

[Whats_UP]

:) In visiting via e-mail with a good friend that works for KBR in Iraq, he seems

to think us-U.S. plans on being there for the long haul and he intends to

stay up to 5 yrs, I guess the money is real good but what a risk. Oh and he

has 8 mil worth himself.

[Runamuck]

We wont ever fully leave.. Might actually develop bases there and close down some of the others like Japan Germany...

[jara1215]

Papa, I cant bellieve you seriously broached that question in refrense to that article.I read it and wow! how extremely left wing. It doesnt add up to Bush's philosophy of spreading democracy and sticking it out. Also I agree with the poster that said we will build some significant bases and basically stay out of sight of most of the populace. And more importantly the article does a clear job of saying "we" are the bad guys. I wish those lefties would just move to Canada and sign up for some social medication. :drunk:

[Winchester-2]

You can't be serious? A UN Report....

"UN specialist on hunger Jean Ziegler, who prepared the report, blames the worsening situation in Iraq on the war led by coalition forces."

Wonder how our Jean Ziegler feels about all the innocent adults & CHILDREN that coalition forces freed from Saddam's prisons?

"When Saddam Hussein was overthrown, about 4% of Iraqi children under five were going hungry; now that figure has almost doubled to 8%, his report says."

What % of the children were being raped & tortured to death, or killed before reaching age five, before USA showed up?

How does Mr Ziegler define hunger?

"Some 17,000 children die every day from hunger-related diseases, the report claims, which it says is a scandal in a world which is richer than ever before.

"The silent daily massacre by hunger is a form of murder," Mr Ziegler said. "It must be battled and eliminated."

Does our friend Ziegler ever mention that hunger in third world countries is caused by corrupt politicians and insane with power, greedy dictators?

Maybe Ziegler should ask the reason Mexico is so rich in resources, has hundreds of fantastic vacation destinations, and most of the people are dirt poor, except the leaders of Mexico, who have $Billions stashed away in foreign bank accounts.

I detest his slick way of talking about Iraq in percentages, then at the end slipping in a huge number like 17,000 per day, which is a a worldwide estimate. Or, shall I say, a number he pulled out of his arse for the shock value at the UN conference?

If it were up to pigs like Ziegler, Saddam would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and have a place in the Liberal halls of worship right next to Castro.

[Winchester-2]

Maybe I'll go find some dark chocolate!

http://www.investorsiraq.com/showthread.php?t=4737

[lance]

This last month the insurgency has dropped way off. I mean attacks are down to the lowest levels in over a year. The numbers are good, the cause is still in question. Found this on IRAQ DAILY, local iraqi news in english. Good source to keep up on the pulse of Iraq. good luck