Lynch said there were large portions of his area "where there are no
Iraqi security forces at all" and so "the enemy fills the void."
All that sounds quite different from the assurances Bush gave in
January — that Iraqi forces would succeed this time — when he
announced the U.S. buildup.
From The Associated Press, 6/26/07:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19442614/
U.S. military shows serious doubt in Iraq troops
In blow to Bush, commanders say security forces are unable to hold
ground
BAGHDAD -
American military commanders now seriously doubt that Iraqi security
forces will be able to hold the ground that U.S. troops are fighting
to clear — gloomy predictions that strike at the heart of Washington's
key strategy to turn the tide in Iraq.
Several senior American officers have warned in recent days that Iraqi
soldiers and police are still incapable of maintaining security on
their own in the most crucial areas, including Baghdad and the
recently reclaimed districts around Baqouba to the north.
Iraqi units are supposed to be moving into position to take the baton
from the Pentagon.
This was the backbone of the plan President Bush announced in January
when he ordered five more U.S. brigades, or about 30,000 soldiers, to
Iraq.
The goal is to reduce the violence to a level where the Iraqis can
cope so that Americans can begin to go home.
But that outcome is looking ever more elusive.
__________________________________________________
How's your "surge" goin', Georgie?
Harry
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