-Caveat Lector- http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=12792704 &method=full&siteid=50143
THE HEAT IS ON "" "Wars in the past have lasted certainly months, and mostly years." "" >>>A new kind of war?<<< >From Bob Roberts at US Central Command, Qatar US Commander Tommy Franks warned last night that the war could go on until summer with troops fighting in scorching temperatures of 120F. The four-star General insisted the military campaign was not being driven by President George Bush's need for a quick victory. Asked about reports in Washington that senior figures now expect the conflict in Iraq to last for at least three months, he said: "One never knows how long a war will last. "We don't know. But what we do know is that this coalition sees the regime gone at the end of the war." He added: "Lots remains to be done. The days ahead will see ups and downs. "What we need to do is remind ourselves that the outcome has not been, is not and will not be in question." General Franks denied there has been a falling out between him, George Bush and US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld about the progress of the war. He insisted: "No one has driven the timing of this operation except the operational commander." And Labour party chairman John Reid added: "I don't know anybody who thought that this was going to be over in 14 days. "Wars in the past have lasted certainly months, and mostly years." On the ground some US troops said yesterday they had been told a "pause" in land advances towards Baghdad could be extended by several weeks because of overstretched supply lines, stiff Iraqi resistance and waiting for reinforcements to arrive. But war lasting until June or July would mean coalition troops having to fight in the 120-degree heat of the Gulf summer. Many had hoped they would be home by April. One officer told his men: "There is a realisation that we came in a ttle light." According to a Time/CNN poll out yesterday more than half of Americans believe the US government was too optimistic in its assessment of how long the war would last. Nearly half - 46 per cent - said they expected the war to last from four months to more than a year. General Franks also said it may be time to look again at force levels in Iraq. There have been complaints there are not enough troops to guard the 250-mile supply line between Kuwait and the front line. But it was claimed yesterday that Donald Rumsfeld repeatedly rejected advice from the military more troops and armoury would be needed. He insisted at least six times in the run-up to the war that the proposed number of troops be reduced. A senior Pentagon planner said: "He thought he knew better. He was the decision-maker at every turn. "This is the mess Rummy put himself in because he didn't want a heavy footprint on the ground." Mr Rumsfeld is also said to have ignored advice from General Franks to delay invasion until troops - denied access via Turkey - could be brought in by another route. He also miscalculated the level of Iraqi resistance and rejected recommendations to deploy at least four army divisions and ship in hundreds of tanks and other vehicles. The official told the New Yorker magazine: "They've got no resources. He was so focused on proving his point the Iraqis were going to fall apart.” Mr Rumsfeld denied he overruled military planners. Thousands of US Marines yesterday pushed north towards Baghdad during 'seek and destroy' missions. Their aim was to open the route to Baghdad and stop attacks along Highway Eight - which links Nassiriya and the front line at Karbala - nicknamed Ambush Alley. Around Najaf US Marines claim to have killed 23 Iraqi paramilitary fighters. It was revealed yesterday 1,000 soldiers from the US Army's 10th Mountain Division are being flown into northern Iraq to open a second front. Last night General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said US troops are ready to launch a major assault against Iraqi Republican Guard forces protecting Baghdad - but may wait for pressure on Saddam to build. He said troops were just 49 miles south of Baghdad and added: "We'll just continue to draw the noose tighter and tighter." Meanwhile, two explosions rocked the centre of Baghad early today as US and British warplanes kept up a fierce attack on the city. Top Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutra <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. 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://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[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
