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--- Begin Message ----Caveat Lector- http://www.interestalert.com/brand/siteia.shtml?Story=st/sn/06020004aaa06731 .upi&Sys=mariopro&Type=News&Filter=World%20News&Fid=WORLDNEW Retired general criticizes Iraq war By DAVID E. REYNOLDS, UPI CorrespondentWASHINGTON, June 2 (UPI) -- Iraqis are taking more responsibility for their country's future but in a process that should have had the U.S. personnel on the sidelines much earlier, retired Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni told the Council on Foreign Relations. The June 30 handover of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government may mean a declining role for the Pentagon's civilian leadership, which Zinni has criticized since the war began. "We could be on the sidelines watching this process," Zinni said, noting the Iraqi Governing Council's refusal to follow U.S. recommendations when choosing the president of the interim government. The former commander of U.S. troops in the Middle East continues his criticism of the Bush administration's Iraq policy in a book co-written with Tom Clancy. "Battle Ready" is the fourth installment in Clancy's Commander Series, written to teach about top U.S. military leaders. The book is a mix of biography and autobiography, Zinni said. Although "Battle Ready" spans the retired general's career, it is Zinni's criticism of the Defense Department's civilian leadership that is drawing attention. Zinni is one of several prominent retired generals who have criticized the Pentagon's war planning. But he opposed the invasion of Iraq prior to the start of the war. This was a surprise, given his support of President Bush in the 2000 election and the war in Afghanistan. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein did not represent an imminent threat to U.S. security, Zinni said Tuesday. Although he agreed Saddam was trying to protect the remnants of an illegal weapons program, Zinni said Saddam could not have attacked the United States with weapons of mass destruction. "I saw the intelligence -- it wasn't there," he said, referring to the lack of proof that Saddam was an imminent threat to the United States. The U.S. effort to contain the Iraqi leader by enforcing no-fly zones was working, and toppling Hussein's government was unnecessary and served as a distraction from the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, Zinni said. But Zinni is no less forgiving of the Pentagon's plans for the reconstruction. With better planning, the civilian leadership at the Defense Department could have avoided many of the pitfalls that have plagued the rebuilding effort, he said. "There wasn't enough thought or enough cultural sensitivity," Zinni said. A well-trained U.S. military performed its job admirably, but planners should have anticipated the challenges of the occupation, he added. "It's the civilian leadership, the guys in seersucker suits, that don't have a clue at the Pentagon," he said. He also said the United States was committed to going to war before it had made any serious efforts at diplomacy. "We were going to war in March no matter what." Ever since the Vietnam War, some argue that criticizing the country's leadership is counterproductive to any war effort. But the former general disagreed. "Whenever we commit soldiers, we owe them the rationale for putting their lives at risk. The planning that went into the Iraq war and the occupation did not measure up to the preparation shown by the military." "I bitterly feel we let them down," he said. Despite his objection to the initial invasion and his continued attacks on the occupation leadership, Zinni remains optimistic about the reconstruction of Iraq. "There is no reason to walk away from the belief that we can create an Iraqi state, and they will work together." But the need for more Iraqi involvement does not stop at diplomacy. The extensive use of civilian contractors may be taking jobs away from Iraqis unnecessarily, Zinni said, adding that although contracting services may provide cheaper resources, the military must learn to monitor a large number of contractors. As the interim government takes on more of the burden of rebuilding, the United States will continue to provide for Iraq's security. "There's going to be hell to pay," Zinni said, echoing Bush's view that the interim government will probably face increased attacks from opposition forces. But the interim government should never be given authority over U.S. troops. Although he has criticized the timing and strategy of the Pentagon's plans for Iraq, Zinni agrees the United States should stay involved. In addition to providing security for the reconstruction, the United States also needs to improve communications with the Iraqi people to help prevent the spread of terrorism. "We need to engage this region of the world," he said. -- (Please send comments to [EMAIL PROTECTED]) Copyright 2004 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Yahoo! 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That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
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