US general named to head Iraq command (Casey replaces Sanchez)

[Barrett808]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President George W. Bush has nominated Army General George Casey to the command of US-led multinational forces in Iraq, replacing Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the Pentagon said.

Sanchez, who has served in Iraq for more than 13 months, ends his tour under the shadow of a prisoner abuse scandal that has damaged US prestige and raised troubling questions about officially sanctioned interrogation techniques.

He was expected to go to Germany as head of the army's V Corps pending the conclusion of investigations into the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

Casey's nomination headed a list of general officer appointments released by the Pentagon, which also included the naming of a new chief of the US Strategic Command responsible for US strategic missile forces.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=afp/iraq_us_military_casey

[indepat]

1. If we are returning Iraq to the Iraqis, why do we need a four-star general

and what will be the purpose of our fourteen permanent military bases once they have their sovereignty and freedom? Help me, for I'm confused.