Rummy Admits We are "Closer Than Ever" To Civil War In Iraq

[kpete]

Iraq Isn't In "A Classic Civil War At This Stage...Certainly Isn't Like Our Civil War"...


QUESTION: And the question, Mr. Secretary, after your most recent visit and this spike in violence, do you believe that Iraq is closer than ever to the brink of civil war?

RUMSFELD: "Closer than ever."

Clearly, there's sectarian violence. People are being killed. Sunnis are killing Shia; Shia are killing Sunnis. Kurds seem not to be involved.

It's unfortunate. And they need a reconciliation process. The prime minister is pushing for a reconciliation process.

There are a couple of other things that are -- oh, how would you characterize it? -- things you wish weren't happening. There's some movement of Shia out of Sunni areas and Sunnis out of Shia areas, to some extent. There undoubtedly are some people who are leaving the country and going to safer places because of the violence.

Does that constitute a civil war? I guess you can decide for your yourself. And we can all go to the dictionary and decide what you want to call something.

But it seems to me that it is not a classic civil war at this stage.

RUMSFELD: It certainly isn't like our Civil War. It isn't like the civil war in a number of other countries.

more at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/08/02/rumsfeld-iraq-isnt-in-_n_26389.html

[dave123williams]

1. Wow. What was his first clue?

[Solly Mack]

2. it's like those non "traditional" hijackings

that no one can anticipate

[cynatnite]

3. What is a 'classic' civil war?

Like the war between the states? :crazy:

[Democrats_win]

12. LOL. Perhaps the War of the Roses?

[Kagemusha]

4. So this is why he's too busy to testify before Congress.

He's giving press conferences.

[LuckyLib]

5. Rummy, is your lightbulb on the same wattage as Blair's?

Your ducking and spinning has gotten so old. A reminder: when forces within the same country are killing each other it's called a "civil war." Good Gawd, you're the secretary of defense. We know you have no shame . . . what about a clue?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Right. And, Elvis appears "very close" to dead.

[patdem]

7. Really the only thing missing are the blue and grey uniforms..but I think

scarfs in the Middle East can tell which 'side' you are on...only no one wants to wear them..since there is no NORTH/SOUTH divide..but they are all living amongst each other?

[kenny blankenship]

10. Are we in a civil war? Too early to tell. Won't know while it's happening

When they start having re-enactments of their civil war, then it will be safe to say that Iraq has experienced a civil war. Wouldn't want to rush into a judgment like that until we can be really really really sure.

[kenny blankenship]

8. I guess when they're shoving each other into crematoria over there

by the train-load, we'll officially be "on the brink" of civil war in Iraq.

[blonndee]

9. Well, since Rummy says so...

I guess that means it's been in a state of "civil war" for oh, about two years, maybe?

[whistle]

11. We are closer than ever to civil war in the U.S. Rumsfeld!

[teryang]

13. Tunnel vision

What we are involved in is regional war at this point. It is hoped that military and political failure in Iraq, indeed throughout the mideast, will be obscured by the proliferation of brinkmanship and war.

[spindrifter]

14. "things you wish weren't happening"--

wow--like this presidency, maybe.