BAGHDAD, May 2, 2007
4,000 U.S. Troops Headed To Baghdad
Added Personnel Meant To Strengthen Crackdown; 47 People Killed Across Iraq
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A U.S. soldier with the 1st Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Batallion, 9th Regiment B troop, patrols a street separating a Shiite and a Sunni Muslim stronghold, few blocks from Baghdad's Haifa Street, March 29 2007. (Getty Images/Patrick Baz)
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Senior Iranian envoy Ali Larijani talks to the media after meeting top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, on May 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Alaa al-Marjani)
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But while the U.S. and Iraqi militaries moved to complete an increase of forces in the capital, bombings, shootings and mortar attacks left at least 47 people dead across the country.
The developments came on the eve of an international conference in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik in a bid to boost world economic and diplomatic support for Iraq and reduce the tide of sectarian violence and terrorism there.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acknowledged international resistance to new financial and political support for Iraq — particularly debt relief.
"The region has everything at stake here; Iraq's neighbors have everything at stake here," Rice told reporters traveling with her to a gathering that will include U.S. adversaries Iran and Syria.
Rice said the history of troubled relations between Iraq and its neighbors predates the U.S.-led invasion of 2003, but said Middle East states should understand the risk they face from a failed Iraq.
"Iraq is at the center of either a stable Middle East or an unstable Middle East, and we should therefore all align our policies in ways that contribute to stability," Rice said.
The U.S. military said Wednesday that the fourth of five brigades being sent to help Iraqi security forces as part of the crackdown had arrived this week.
The influx of troops is an attempt to put a lid on the violence and to buy the Iraqi government more time. But the Iraqi parliament plans to take a two-month summer recess, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin. U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker is dead set against that.
"It would be pretty hard to understand … if the council of representatives takes a two-month break when critical issues for the nation's future may still be pending," said Crocker.
The 4th Brigade, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Lewis, Wash., which includes about 3,700 soldiers, will be deployed in the Baghdad area and in northern Iraq, the military said. Officials want the rest in place by June, for a total in Iraq of 160,000.
U.S. military spokesman Rear Adm. Mark Fox said Wednesday that Iraqi and U.S. forces now have 57 joint security stations and combat outposts in the Baghdad area and that "while the security situation remains exceedingly challenging, we've seen some encouraging signs of progress."
"We continue to see a reduced total number of sectarian incidents in comparison to before the Baghdad security operation, including murders and kidnappings," Fox told reporters in Baghdad. But he said car bomb attacks have increased, including some with very high casualties.
When complete, the Baghdad security operation will include about 28,000 additional U.S. forces, including 20,500 combat soldiers and about 8,000 service members involved in support services such as intelligence, military police and logistics.
Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, an Iraqi military spokesman, said most of the crackdown's operations were taking place in volatile areas outside Baghdad, including the Sunni cities of Mahmoudiyah and Madain.
Al-Moussawi said insurgent operations had dropped significantly in Baghdad as the groups had fled to other areas.
"Next week will witness more military operations in both halves of Baghdad," he said, referring to the two sides of the Tigris River that divides Baghdad. "Almost all our military operations are now taking place on Baghdad's outskirts."
But violence persisted Wednesday.
The deadliest attacks included a suicide car bombing that killed at least nine people in Baghdad's Sadr City, and a roadside bombing of a minibus that killed at least eight people south of the capital. At least 19 bullet-riddled bodies — apparent victims of so-called sectarian death squads — also were found, including 10 in the northeastern city of Baqouba.
The security efforts come as President Bush is engaged in a fierce debate with the Democratic-led Congress over the war. Mr. Bush vetoed legislation to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq in a historic showdown with Congress over whether the unpopular and costly war should end or escalate.
The measure would require the first U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later.
Democrats accused the president of ignoring Americans' desire to withdraw U.S. forces from the war, which has claimed the lives of more than 3,350 members of the military.
Ismail Qassim, a 41-year-old Shiite electricity ministry employee in Baghdad, welcomed the veto.
"In spite of all the problems Iraq is facing because of the American presence, there is some need for them at least for one more year because of the sectarian strife in Iraq and corruption in the security services," he said.
Sameer Hussein, a 22-year-old Sunni college student in Baghdad, said he wanted the U.S. forces to withdraw but didn't think they ever would.
"Even if they will withdraw they will leave permanent military bases in Iraq and that is something Iraqi people will reject," he said.
In other developments:
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See all 55 Commentsthe fact that we are now "talking to terrorists" shows how bad our situation is.
we've been "talking" to terrorist since day 1.
It DEPENDS which terrorist get the kiss of exemption or the hand-hold of preference.
Check out the 9-11 commission's ORIGINAL report - before they took India's and pakistans compliance out. We send tons of money and WEAPONS to these very terrorist countries...
I am sure those "liberated" iraqi's will appreciate ANYONE helping them put a roof over their kids heads and jobs on the table *well - a roof for what is left of their children*.
it's us who need them.
"As I've said, success will be when the level of secteriaan violence is acceptable to the people" -- Which in modern English translates to;
RIGHT NOW,,, WE ARE THE CAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE & THEY WANT US OUT.
Iranian representative Ali Ashgar Soltanieh says the U.S. and other states' nuclear arsenals represent, "the most serious threat to the very existence of humankind."
-Thoughtful facts...
j-whitman - we are not the cause of the violence in Iraq - the sectarian strife was instigated and fomented by Al Qaeda and Iran - who launched the largest sectarian attacks that inflamed the Shiites? Al Qaeda. Who has been arming and funding the Shiite militias with just enough to fight back, but not win and end it? Iran. Who has been training the death squads and top tiers of Sadr's mahdi army? Hezbollah - Iran's proxy throughout the middle east. And we KNOW that's what they were after because Al Qaeda has said so publicly and often!!
Posted by fredgrad2000
-Grad2000, Iran knows very well what they may face if they follow on with their nukes, and they don't care as long as United Nations Nuclear AEIA bylaws are clearly indicating their rights to pursuit of that technology. USA got to change its belittleing approach toward emerging nations, and discuss at least as partners on this unique Planet that we happen to share.
-the secret resides in removing a rogue president who is abusing the constitution. (you'd say he's the one who vetoed the least... easy to do so, because the senate majority was GOP and sheeply following...), but here it's clearly indicative of the will of the population of USA. Walking-Liar is less considerate of the American People desire because he's not seeking another term, this same constitution not allowing him to. Remove him and make a change in diplomacy approach.
You as Bush does, leaves Arab Sunni's & Iraq Sunni's out of the equation all together ----- They & al Quida still get money, arms & soldiers from the UAE Egypt, Lybia, Armenia & other places as well.... Yet Bush still says invest in the UAE
Was that Fred Flinstone College you graduated from there fredgrad??????
p!ss#d at Reids comments and consider him a traitor.
Good going! Alabama George and Deferment Cheney!
Always easier to send other people's kids to fight and die in your cockameny war!
In the meantime, the Bush twins are living it up in the night clubs, Papa Bush and Mama Bush enjoying the good life in DC and Crawford and uncle ******** Cheney laughing all the way to the bank with his buddies at Halliburton.
Life is great or what!
"Al Quida was not in Iraq, untill we opened the door & through out thier government & military.... GOT THAT NOW ?????"
No, since it is not true. Al-Qaeda (through it's affilated group Ansar al-Isl) was in Iraq prior to the invasion, and even had some contact with the Iraqi government. It is true that there was no operational control, or even a cooperative relationship, but that does not mean that Al-Qaeda had no presense in Iraq.
Wonder what would happen in Iraq and the rest of the world if we quit shooting people and blowing stuff up?
So we are sending in troops while Iraqi government takes a vacation.
I suppose the bombing and killing will stop for that two months.
Iraq just isn't on the same playing field as the US. They govern differently, have a completely different culture, different battle tactics, conflict resolution, everything.
How are we supposed to get them to "Stand Up" if stand up to them means something entirely different than what we mean?
This is like sharks trying to teach aardvarks how to catch squid. Makes NO sense at all.
Makes no end to war.......
Posted by Opfor311 at 05:15 PM : May 02, 2007
J whitman, you aren't getting it. If a Republican says something (forget the facts or logic or sense) then it is TRUE.
Republicans opening their mouths = Truth.
See? It will be easy. Just change your position and your mind and your philosophy and your humanitarianism and your political reasoning. Drop all that and join the Bush Cult, after giving all your money and possessions to the 1% of wealthy America.
:)
4,000 U.S. Troops Headed To Baghdad
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Quote Bush:
"Mission Accomplished."
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Bush was a bit presumptuous in his victory speech four years ago, don't you think? 4,ooo today, 2,000 tomorrow, 10,000 by years end when the draft is enacted.... An army recruter just called my house and spoke with my child that is still in high school, who answered the phone.
Yes, that is right fellow Americans, the ARMY just call my home in an attempt to recruit one of my children who is STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL!!!
Welcome to the SURGE!!! The SURGE consists of teenagers encouraged by the BUSH ADMINISTRATION to DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL to FIGHT IN IRAQ!!!
How diplomatic!! It's a good thing she is our top diplomat!!!
NOT!
Rememeber Saddam was a bad man. He did not tolerate any opposition.
Does anyone really think Saddam would tolerate an Al-Qaeda presence in Iraq for any reason? I believe when Saddam was able to locate an Al-Qaeda member in Iraq, they were dead.
Rememeber Saddam was a bad man. He did not tolerate any opposition.
Posted by HSinCo at 08:13 PM : May 02, 2007
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Exactly! The Iraqis feared Saddam, but they don't think that Americans are worth spitting on...
From the 2006 Senate Report of Pre-war Intelligence on Iraq:
"According to the DIA, detainee information and captured document exploitation indicate that the regime [of Saddam Hussein] was aware of Ansar al-Islam and al-Qa'ida presence in northeastern Iraq, but the groups' presence was considered a threat to the regime and the Iraqi government attempted intelligence collection operations against them."
Please check your "facts" before you make claims. I've never asked anyone to believe me because of my political views (whatever they may be), but because I've got sources. Don't just accept something because some Democrat said it's true. Do a little research. After all, it's better to say nothing and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
toilet paper "intelligence"
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LOL, indeed!
Let me see if I've got this right. If intelligence supports the Democrats it's reliable, but if it doesn't then it's "toilet paper "intelligence""
I believe that you are acting like one who says "Don't confuse me with facts. My mind is made up."
ainttaken,
Let me see if I've got this right. If intelligence supports the Democrats it's reliable, but if it doesn't then it's "toilet paper "intelligence""
Posted by opfor311 at 08:50 PM : May 02, 2007
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NO, no, no! Read the post until you COMPREHEND it. If not, you flunk back into kindergarten....
DEILIBERATELY LIED us into Invading Iraq to start a needless, horrific WAR.
Folks this is a HIGH CRIME if there ever was one. Why will the spineless, complicit Democrats DO NOTHING!!
Tennet, who was complicit in the crime, offers just one more nail in the coffin. An impeachment hearing would bring a stream of witnesses and unrefutable evidence to force the impeachement of George Bush and D*ck Cheney.
Love America? Support the troops? Then JAIL these two murderous thugs!!
Another great oxymoron:
Democratic-controlled
He
re's a couple more:
government worker or liberal thinker
Posted by badaxmofo at 09:59 PM : May 02, 2007
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Hey, how about:
government worker & LIBERAL THINKER!!!
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KISS MY AMERICAN ***!!!
You may not agree with me!
President is like Father. Please dont call him as a 'MADMAN'.
We should obey Mr.Bush, he is our honourable president.
$500 BILLION spent on war (good for our stock market though!),
3,300 American troops killed,
700 mercenary contractors killed,
Hundreds of Thousands of Iraqis killed,
Two million Iraqis displaced
Destroyed the Iraqi economy
Iraqi transporation and utilites are in ruins
Started a religious-based civil war
Increased the threat of a regional war
Created an environment for terrorism to thrive and grow.
So what's the big deal! Don't be so short-sighted. We have fulfilled phase 1 of our NeoCon PNAC vision for a new world order!!
So.. Praise the Lord, Wave the Flag, and God Bless America (cuz we deserve it, not those Islamic heathens)
I'm sorry, but staring at nonsense doesn't change it. Considering that the pre-war intelligence was consistant with what the KGB, GRU, MI5, MI6, DGSE, MSS, and other intelligence agencies had on Iraq, there was therefore no corruption of the intelligence. However, there was a great deal of CYA after the convential wisdom was found to have been misinformed.
However, just because they were mistaken on this does not mean that they are always wrong. If you want to refute them, go ahead, be my guest. But making snarky comments is not a refutation.
I'm sorry, but staring at nonsense doesn't change it. Considering that the pre-war intelligence was consistant with what the KGB said...
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All the more reason to ignore it.
First of all, there were over 500 WMD found in Iraq, mostly left over from the Iran-Iraq war. But they were there. Was the convential wisdom in entire intelligence community wrong? For the most part, yes. But it was a failing across the board, based on a lack of reliable humint. After all, even Saddam's ministers believed that they still had WMD.
"Insurgents "are in their last throes" based on reliable or toilet papaer intelligence?"
At the time it was said, it was true. But Al-Qaeda made a hail-mary pass when they blew up the Golden Mosq
Niger uranium and aluminum tubes? reliable or toilet paper?
Lets believe everything Chalibi says. Was that reliable or toilet paper?
The name of the Al qaida agent is...(drumroll)
English are screaming WAIT we arent through interrogating.....
Outng plame, an act of simpleton revenge bestowed on one ofypur own."
At the time it was said, it was true. But Al-Qaeda made a hail-mary pass when they blew up the Golden Mosque, and re-ignited the Shia-Sunni fighting.
Niger uranium and aluminum tubes? reliable or toilet paper?
First, Iraq DID try to buy Uranium from Niger, as was evidenced by their own documents, which have since been translated. But they never succeeded in buying any.
As for the Aluminum tubes, they were of a size and type that was consistant with what would have been needed for a centrafuge. However, it was only after a visual inspection that they were found to be of too low a quality for that purpose. However, it was impossible to tell from the manifest what the quality was.
"Lets believe everything Chalibi says. Was that reliable or toilet paper?"
Again, there was a lack of reliable humint that could confirm or refute what Chalibi said. And again, we were not the only intelligence community that had to accept what he said, since we had no other source.
"Outng plame, an act of simpleton revenge bestowed on one of your own."
Sorry, Armitege, who was no friend of the White House, and actually was one who tried to give the diplomats more time was the one who outed Plame. His conversation with Woodward was BEFORE wilson published his article, so it's hard to see how it could have been revenge by the White house.
Got anything else?
If you want to refute them, go ahead, be my guest. But making snarky comments is not a refutation.
Posted by Opfor311 at 11:15 PM : May 02, 2007
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Opfor311 wants a GIRLIE FIGHT!
Let's bet...
Long Live U.S
What? You mean four years after MISSION ACCOMPLISHED we are still sending troops of there?
Posted by Norcalruss at 01:12 AM : May 03, 2007
Everyone has blown the Pres. Bush "Mission Accomplished" statement way out of proportion. Pres. Bush meant "Mission Accomplished" for the Aircraft Carrier Battle Group, not the Iraq war itself. Lets fight fair!
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