Just a quick follow up to Larry Johnson’s post, The Shame of General Casey, in which Larry lambastes the US commander in Iraq for claiming that he sees no sectarian strife in Iraq, none, nada. Obviously General Casey has a severe case of myopia. And that isn’t all he is blind to.
It seems General Casey had a few other discordant pronouncements to spring on us yesterday:
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The top U.S. commander in Iraq said Tuesday he may call for more troops to be sent to Baghdad, possibly by increasing the overall U.S. presence in Iraq, as rising bloodshed pushes Iraqi and American deaths to some of their highest levels of the war.
The commander, Gen. George Casey, also said he thought Iraqi forces would be ready to take over security no sooner than late 2007 or early 2008. The announcement of a 12- to 18-month target again pushes back the withdrawal of the bulk of the 145,000 or so U.S. troops in Iraq.
So, he thinks we need more troops now because the fighting is so bad, but he also expects the Iraqi security forces to take control in 12 to 18 months. Let me repeat the General’s brilliant appreciation of the situation in Iraq: We need more troops because they Iraqi forces are unable to do the job now, but don’t worry, in 12 to 18 months they’ll be doing just fine without us and our troops will be able to come home in time for President Bush’s going away party. Riiiigghht. I wonder if anyone here remembers hearing this sort of thing before?
Defense official: Rumsfeld given Iraq withdrawal plan
Plan calls for troops to begin pulling out after December elections
Friday, November 18, 2005
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The top U.S. commander in Iraq has submitted a plan to the Pentagon for withdrawing troops in Iraq, according to a senior defense official.
Gen. George Casey submitted the plan to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. It includes numerous options and recommends that brigades — usually made up of about 2,000 soldiers each — begin pulling out of Iraq early next year [i.e., in early 2006].
I guess next the good General will offer to sell us the Brooklyn Bridge at a discount. I know I’ll be ready to write him a rubber check when he does.