Re: Other Realities
The mission has changed as time has passed:
From March 22,2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom
And our mission is clear, to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people.
Mission accomplished? No stockpiles of WMDs; Saddam eventually dead and gone; Iraq has a constitution and would eventually hold elections.
Rumsfeld in the 4/11/2003 DOD briefing indicates that freedom has been achieved for Iraqi people:
DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Myers -- April 11, 2003
Q: Yes, but Mr. Secretary, I'm asking about what plan was there to restore law and order?
Rumsfeld: Well, let's just take a city. Take the port city, Umm Qasr -- what the plan was. Well, the British went in, they built a pipeline bringing water in from Kuwait; they cleared the mine of ports (sic); they brought ships in with food; they've been providing security. In fact, they've done such a lousy job, that the city has gone from 15,000 to 40,000. Now think of that. Why would people vote with their feet and go into this place that's so bad? The reason they're going in is because they're food, there's water, there's medicine and there's jobs. That's why. The British have done a fantastic job. They've done an excellent job.
And, does that mean you couldn't go in there and take a television camera or get a still photographer and take a picture of something that was imperfect, untidy? I could do that in any city in America. Think what's happened in our cities when we've had riots, and problems, and looting. Stuff happens! But in terms of what's going on in that country, it is a fundamental misunderstanding to see those images over, and over, and over again of some boy walking out with a vase and say, "Oh, my goodness, you didn't have a plan." That's nonsense. They know what they're doing, and they're doing a terrific job. And it's untidy, and freedom's untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things. They're also free to live their lives and do wonderful things, and that's what's going to happen here.
Sovereignty Transferred to Post Saddam Government 6/28/2004
President Bush Discusses Early Transfer of Iraqi Sovereignty
PRESIDENT BUSH: Good afternoon. Earlier today, 15 months after the liberation of Iraq, and two days ahead of schedule, the world witnessed the arrival of a free and sovereign Iraqi government. Iraqi officials informed us that they are ready to assume power, and Prime Minister Allawi believes that making this transition now is best for his country. After decades of brutal rule by a terror regime, the Iraqi people have their country back.
The mission changes, it's now a mission to providing adequate "security measures" for Iraq. IMO this is where the administration started down a road that cost them dearly in political terms. This article highlights the issues with providing security:
We Need American Troops
From the article an acknowledgment by an Iraqi leader of the opportunity provided:
Without foreign intervention, the transition in Iraq would have been from Saddam's bloodstained hands to his psychopathic offspring. Instead, thanks to American leadership, Iraqis have been given an opportunity of peaceful, participatory politics.
However this is not enough, "sufficient" training of Iraqis was added:
Inevitably, there have been stresses and strains. In Iraq these have been amplified by the terrorism of the remnants of the fascist Baathist dictatorship and our interfering neighbors. To contain these tensions, and to defend our young democracy, requires the support of American and other troops. Foreign forces are needed to train and equip the new Iraqi armed forces and to give Iraq its own counterterrorism capability. Only the United States and its closest allies are able to provide such assistance.
Is the idea of benchmarks that far fetched?
The administration now re-defines what victory in Iraq means.
National Strategy for Victory in Iraq -- November 30, 2005
Victory in Iraq is Defined in Stages
Short term, Iraq is making steady progress in fighting terrorists, meeting political milestones, building democratic institutions, and standing up security forces.
Medium term, Iraq is in the lead defeating terrorists and providing its own security, with a fully constitutional government in place, and on its way to achieving its economic potential.
Longer term, Iraq is peaceful, united, stable, and secure, well integrated into the international community, and a full partner in the global war on terrorism.
A drastic and comprehensive change to the mission without building a political consensus is and was a prescription for much trouble on many fronts. IMO this was a major political error by the president. Why would a Democrat ever want Karl Rove to be fired is a mystery to me.
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