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| Greyhawk analyzes Gen. Abizaid's appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee |
| 2006-11-19 |
| ...so you don't have to. There's a link to the 4 1/2 hour CSPAN video, and another to the transcript, but he already watched it. More troops? "We do need more troops - and the troops we need are Iraqis." Less troops? "Under the current circumstances I would not recommend troop withdrawals." Both comments delivered to the Senate this week by CENTCOM commander General John Abizaid. Want a glimpse of the future? Watch the video of General Abizaid's appearance (via CSPAN) before the Senate Armed Services Committee this week. The media has made much of Gen Abizaid's comments at this meeting - and they are of obvious importance. But what really matters here are what the Senators asked, and how they responded to his answers. You probably don't have 4 1/2 hours to watch the whole thing. Some highlights: Skip forward to 1:15:45. Democrat Bill Nelson of Florida starts with this statement, "I trust you... You have been - to me - the most forthcoming witness as you have appeared before this committee." During the exchange, the General makes the quote at the top of this post, and also describes the details of what a "withdraw" from Iraq would entail. Then watch Senator McCain's section immediately after. Excerpt: Sen McCain: Would it make sense to say it might be well to get both Baghdad and al Anbar province under control...? Gen Abizaid: ...You can't have a "main effort" everywhere... the preponderance of military activity needs to go into the Baghdad area. Sen McCain: I don't understand that tactic, General. Later, the Senator attempts to conclude: ...I regret deeply that you seem to think the status quo and the rate of progress we're making is acceptable, I think most Americans do not. But the General robbed him of his sound bite: "Well Senator, I agree with you. The status quo is not acceptable. And I don't believe what I'm saying here today is the status quo. I am saying we must significantly increase our ability to help the Iraqi army by putting more American troops with Iraqi units in military transition teams - to speed the amount of training that is done, to speed the amount of heavy weapons that get there, and to speed the ability of Iraqi troops to deploy. It's a very difficult thing to do. Senator I believe in my heart of hearts that the Iraqis must win this battle - with our help." McCain - arguing for an increase in US combat troops in Iraq, refused to yield the last word: "You and I have significant disagreement." (In support of his "more troops is better" campaign the Senator also invokes comments from some other generals we've discussed here recently - they may not be gone after all.) The first two exchanges I've highlighted above may well shape the serious "Iraq debate" in the coming months. Don't believe what you read in the papers - watch for yourself. Update: Thanks to Soldier's Dad for the link to the transcript, early in which Senator Warner announces a schedule: ...we as Congress, and particularly the Senate, through our Committee on Armed Services, have to consider at least five developments between today and late in December. Looks like most of the details of the next year in Iraq might be ironed out before January. That should give the new congress time to deal with other issues before turning back to this one. I think the elected Democrats will be okay with that - some of their supporters may be disappointed. (Sound bites and occassional Kos/HuffPo rants will be provided for their benefit.) |
| Posted by:trailing wife |