Mark wrote:
The administration has created a trap for itself. Whether one agrees or
disagrees about the invasion, at this point the involvement of
non-"coalition" forces would be helpful. At the very least, 150,000 troops
is simply not enough to control a civilian population of over 20 million.
Various other countries, among them some of those most vocally opposed to
the occupation, have offered to send personnel trained foir this kind of
thing. But for the administration to accept the help would be to admit
miscalculation at the least and a degree of helplessness before the facts
on the ground. It would also probably require a redistribution of the
rebuilding contracts. So it aint gonna happen, and the unintended
consequences will all stay on our heads.
Don't choke on any bones.
Mark
The New Zealand government was one of those opposed to the 'coalition'
attack on Iraq. Comments by the Prime Minister to the effect that it would
not have happened had Gore won the Presidency offended the Bush
administration. However, the New Zealand offer of
personnel trained to assist in reconstruction and policing has been
accepted, with the administration expressing it's gratitude. New Zealand, I
should add, contributed troops to Afghanistan.
Wystan
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