U.S. says Iraq poised to take control of its ground forces/ Moonie Times

[TexasLawyer]

Yay-- things are going SO swimmingly in Iraq that we can now embark on our new war in Iran!!!!

U.S. says Iraq poised to take control of its ground forces

By Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
August 29, 2006

The U.S. military in Iraq announced yesterday that an Iraqi ground-forces command will activate in early September, giving the U.S.-backed government direct control over army, police and border units throughout the country.

Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, chief spokesman for the U.S. command, said the Iraqi ground headquarters eventually will take control of all 10 Iraqi army divisions. The first, the 8th Division, will be moved from coalition to Iraqi control this week.

<snip>

"This is a significant step in the Iraqi path to self-reliance and security," Gen. Caldwell said. "What this means is that the Iraqi minister of defense is prepared to begin assuming direct operational control over Iraq's armed forces." The press conference was part of a continuing effort by the Bush administration to tell a story that Iraqi forces are in better shape than they were several years ago, when some units refused to fight.

<snip>

He added, "We're actually seeing progress out there. An interesting sign of progress that has recently been relayed to me is there have been an unusual number of weddings in the streets of Baghdad recently."

<snip>

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060828-105438-7418r.htm

Weddings??! I LOVE weddings! Yay! We're on to the next war!

[WCGreen]

1. How sad that the first department formed by the new government

is the department of defense....

[yurbud]

2. The South Vietnamese army was ready to take over too.

If you aren't really fighting for the best interests of your people, you don't fight too hard.

[saigon68]

5. Yes they were REAL FIGHTERS

AS THEY FOUGHT TO GET OUT ON THE HELICOPTERS

[yurbud]

11. ironic that people that notice that troops we train don't fight, but...

insurgents seem to do just fine (just like in Vietnam).

The issue is not training but whether they believe they are fighting for their country or for us.

I think I'd be a little hesitant to kill other Americans for some other country even if they were occupying us.

[dflprincess]

13. That was my first thought,

as soon as "Vietnamization" is complete we can begin to withdraw our troops.

[fed-up]

3. just in time for upcoming election propaganda n/t

[sofa king]

4. They slid that old "10 divisions" sawhorse in there, too.

Do I recall correctly that just last year a US General was caught lying to Congress about how many functional divisions Iraq had? Back then, I think he was lying about Iraq having two divisions.

Now they've got ten, eh? I hope they're more effective than the "paper divisions" Hitler was counting on to relieve the seige of Berlin.

[MisterP]

6. well, of course the Moonies would focus on the weddings

[TexasLawyer]

10. LOL!!!

[LynnTheDem]

7. Baghdad bush-bots at it again.

:eyes:

[HuffleClaw]

8. oh, i'm sure they'll pull a bakers dozen of these meaningless publicity

stunts between now and the election. whether or not anyone will buy it is a different matter.

[pinniped]

9. Hooray!!!! The Iraqis can finally remove their training wheels.

These assholes always make it sound like Iraq is a country that just sprouted up from a damm hotspot or something.

"This is a significant step in the Iraqi path to self-reliance and security," Gen. Caldwell said

Caldwell, STFU and spout your shit to a Kool-Aid drinker.

Who the fuck controls the Oil Ministry? Who the fuck do they serve?

Oh Jeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzz. Right after that the USAF bombs the wedding parties to smithereens.

An interesting sign of progress that has recently been relayed to me is there have been an unusual number of weddings in the streets of Baghdad recently."

This is how the assholes are measuring progress. Simply pathetic. Look, more progress! The Iraqis are going to the market to get food.

Didn't the Iraqi police just loot some shit last week? Ya, such progress.

[saigon68]

12. Caldwell is a Mouth Piece for PNAC War Criminals

And an accessory to murder himself