Iraq: Signs of desperation

[NNN0LHI]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3655622.stm

It is a telling indication of the problems in Iraq that the US State Department wants to switch money earmarked for water, sewage and electricity improvements to the training of Iraqi security forces.

Attention is switching from long-term infrastructure to the immediate needs of security and stability.

Prompted by the US ambassador in Baghdad John Negroponte, the idea is to use $3.6 billion of the $18 billion approved by Congress last November to, among other things, train more Iraqi police and other forces, create more job programmes in an effort to reduce unemployment and plan for the elections in January.

Of the $18 billion only about $1 billion has been spent so far, partly because reconstruction has been so difficult given the lack of security for contractors.

more

[notadmblnd]

1. the Iraqi police and other forces will never most of that money

most if not all will be skimmed right into their pockets. Give it a couple of months and ther'll be a story about missing money.

[aquart]

2. Gosh, maybe we shouldn't have gone there.

Let's go to war and we'll all make money.

Except for those dead guys. And the maimed kids.

But what an opportunity for profit!

And now they're feeling "desperate"? They don't have a clue what desperate looks like.

[aquart]

3. Gosh, maybe we shouldn't have gone there.

Let's go to war and we'll all make money.

Except for those dead guys. And the maimed kids.

But what an opportunity for profit!

And now they're feeling "desperate"? They don't have a clue what desperate looks like.

[niceypoo]

25. reconstruction is hard when...........

you keep blowing the country to smithereens.

[damntexdem]

4. We're making good progress --

just look at that light at the end of that tunnel! Oops, it's a suicide bomb.

[jayfish]

5. Isn't Just Like Those "Conservatives" To Throw Money At The Problem. -NT-

Jay

[Cronus Protagonist]

9. I have a problem they can throw money at

ME.

Funny how they only want to throw money at liars, mercenaries, corporations and thieves, none of which I am a member.




http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[2Design]

6. Best security is to get GUN toting soldiers and tanks out of

their backyards

And try talking.

stop building military bases yet say you are not occupying the country

Act like you are a friend instead of enemy

As they said fight fair - they use helicopters and bombs against these people.

The USA is not looking for peace. You don't get peace this way.

[Just Me]

7. THINK ABOUT IT,...it's genocide,...

,...cut off funds to fundamental human survival and route it to military.

I guess they are willing to do as the most evil recent dictator did,...impose a life or death sentence upon all those who opposed him, whether actively or passively.

Georgie puddin' pie,...you "bought" this with others' right-wing backing,...

,...my mission is to deliver the results on all of your doorsteps,...

,...you will bear the humility you have avoided and projected,...

I promise,...it is my mission!!!

[saigon68]

8. I wonder how much Chalabi gets ?

Millions?

[cliss]

10. I absolutely agree that the State Department has moved

into desperation regarding Iraq. Panic mode is more like it. From what I've read, and believe me it's not on the news (it's from here), Iraq has now descended into complete chaos. The country seems to have fragmented into 3 pieces. There are many cities where the US is simply not able to enter.

A country of 22 million which is supposedly occupied by 144,000 troops who are now unable to hold it. The administration's worst nightmare was that they would somehow alienate the Shi'a majority, and it looks like that day has come.

If the entire country decides to stand up against the occupiers, the US and the coalition troops will be in mortal danger.

[barb162]

11. are you saying you are in Iraq

would you describe it more as civil war or more like anarchy? Are you saying the split is shiite, sunni and kurd areas or some other kind of split.

[JoFerret]

17. What seems to be happening

is a complete tragedy for the people of Iraq.

The helping hand has struck again.

[pfitz59]

12. "Death Squad" Negroponte seeks increase ..........

in "Black Ops" budget!" The money is going down the rabbit hole, along with George "Alice-in-Wonderland" Bush* and all her friends....

[0007]

21. Perhaps the day will come when we'll see John Negroponte

riding out of Baghdad on a camel with a ton of money in his pockets?

[mourningdove92]

13. Train more Iraqi police????

How can they when they are getting shot standing in line to sign up.

We have lost the war in Iraq.

[leftchick]

14. They may as well flush the money down the toilet....

They are insane if they think this will help. An Iraqi police force and Army put together by the US is doomed. This is only to make the mis-administration look like they are actually doing something until the election. Every decision made is based on politics. They don't give a fuck about the Iraqis or our soldiers.

[Disturbed]

16. Democracy?

You decide.


The Hand-Over That Wasn't: Illegal Orders give the US a Lock on Iraq's Economy
by Antonia Juhasz

Officially, the U.S. occupation of Iraq ended on June 28, 2004. But in reality, the United States is still in charge: Not only do 138,000 troops remain to control the streets, but the "100 Orders" of L. Paul Bremer III remain to control the economy.

These little noticed orders enacted by Bremer, the now-departed head of the now-defunct Coalition Provisional Authority, go to the heart of Bush administration plans in Iraq. They lock in sweeping advantages to American firms, ensuring long-term U.S. economic advantage while guaranteeing few, if any, benefits to the Iraqi people.

The Bremer orders control every aspect of Iraqi life - from the use of car horns to the privatization of state-owned enterprises. Order No. 39 alone does no less than "transition from a … centrally planned economy to a market economy" virtually overnight and by U.S. fiat.

Although many thought that the "end" of the occupation would also mean the end of the orders, on his last day in Iraq Bremer simply transferred authority for the orders to Prime Minister Iyad Allawi - a 30-year exile with close ties to the CIA and British intelligence.

<http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0805-07.htm>

More wasted Middle Class taxpayer money and more death. Maybe J. Kerry should admit this colonization will not work out and say that he is bringing the troops home within months after he gets elected. Yeah, the Neo Fascists will say that he has flip flopped but millions of Americans will be pleased with that decision. "Wrong War, wrong time, wrong country. Right time to leave.

[leftchick]

18. I agree with your Kerry suggestion...

It is risky but if it is done with the facts brought to light:

Bremer's final decree

Allawi not accepted by the majority of Iraqis along with the hand picked members of the "parliament"

There is no stinkin Iraqi Army and there never will be under the US "guidance"

after 18 months there are still no basic services to the Iraqis and disease outbreaks are happening across the country especially Baghdad.

How many Iraqi civilians have actually been killed by the US wchich is addind to the "Resistance Fighters" daily.

... I could go on an on but JK needs to expose the bush* lies about Iraq and his inability to grasp the reality on the ground. Then he can suggest bringing the troops home.

[JSJ]

15. much easier to steal money earmarked for 'security' nt

[dbt]

19. Kick!

Desperation, eh? Two words: IRAQ NAM.

:freak:
dbt

[saigon68]

24. ITS IRAQ-NAM-- DEATH SHOWS NO FAVORITES

ITS IRAQ-NAM-- DEATH SHOWS NO FAVORITES


A place where Death rides a Pale Horse

Sometimes Death travels beyond the boundaries of the combat zone and wreaks havoc on mere bystanders.

Death inflicts the ultimate penalty in no particular order.


The Innocent, The Guilty, The Careless and The Unlucky-- are all targets.

[gulliver]

20. If it weren't for the election, they would just ask for more money.

The Iraqis get to tough it on water, sewage, and electricity for a while because Bush is facing an election.

[Disturbed]

22. The worry is?

Iraq will explode into chaos, civil war? No oil will be available?
How long would this last? Would Iraq after it settles down and puts together some form of govt, whether it was three seperate territories wouldn't sell the US oil? Saudi Arabia is an Islamic dictatorship and they sell US oil, so why wouldn't Iraq?

[74dodgedart]

23. I agree. I think they are trying to avoid asking for a supplemental

before the election