Abizaid says U.S. may want to keep bases in Iraq

[ECH1969]

The United States may want to keep a long-term military presence in Iraq to bolster moderates against extremists in the region and protect the flow of oil, the Army general overseeing U.S. military operations in Iraq said on Tuesday.

"Clearly our long-term vision for a military presence in the region requires a robust counter-terrorist capability," Abizaid said. "No doubt there is a need for some presence in the region over time primarily to help people help themselves through this period of extremists versus moderates."

Abizaid also said the United States and its allies have a vital interest in the oil-rich region.

"Ultimately it comes down to the free flow of goods and resources on which the prosperity of our own nation and everybody else in the world depend," he said.

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-03-15T050147Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-240616-1.xml&archived=False

[Inland]

1. "You might want to guard your oil". nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

4. That is so cynical. I can't believe you. Why I never.........n/t

[populistdriven]

28. Multiple Quotes of * Administration Denying Perm Bases (lying to us again)

Rumsfeld Denies U.S. Seeks Iraqi Bases
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/21/iraq/main550350.shtml
Rumsfeld said published reports about the U.S. seeking access to military bases in Iraq are just "not so, not so."

US vows no permanent bases in Iraq
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060311/pl_afp/iraqusiranmilitary_060311215659
US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad said that his country did not want permanent military bases in Iraq and that he was willing to talk to Iran about the war-torn country's future. "We want Iraq to stand on its own feet, we have no goal of establishing permanent bases here," he said in an interview with Iraq's Ash-Sharqiya television, according to a transcript obtained by AFP.

Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt: 'US won't leave garrisons behind in Iraq'
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1131957.php/US_wont_leave_garrisons_behind_in_Iraq_senior_US_officer
Kimmitt said ... the US would only consider keeping a permanent base in Iraq if asked to do so by the government. 'Iraq has not approached us about keeping permanent bases,' Kimmitt said.

Iraq: Permanent US Colony
http://www.iraq-war.ru/article/82287
US military commanders announced that they would consolidate troops into four large air bases. It was announced at this time that while buildings were being made of concrete instead of the usual metal trailers and tin-sheathed buildings, military officers working on the plan "said the consolidation plan was not meant to establish a permanent US military presence in Iraq."

[doublethink]

2. Yea right .....

that was the plan from day one and before, they are not fooling anyone. Gee what a surprise. :sarcasm: Peace. :)

[leftchick]

3. At least they are admitting it now

OIl, Bases, Another US Colony.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. I have been wondering when this would finally come out.

Today is the day I guess. Well, that's it, that's everything we ever suspected, in a nutshell.

[Don Claybrook]

6. Golly. I'll bet they never thought of that until now

And I'm guessing the Iraqis are going to think this is just a lovely idea. No doubt they're preparing fruit baskets now to show gratitude that we'll stay to help the oil flow for all of humanity.

It's accelerating, at home, abroad--welcome the world's newest imperial dictator.

[redqueen]

7. If anyone is surprised by this, they should wake the hell up already...

this was the plan from the beginning.

[msgadget]

8. Duh...

Ya think?

[xultar]

9. Where are all these brain surgeons coming from?

You notice lately that all the headlines have been brainless and old ass useless shit that we already knew?

They shouldn't call it News they should call it Olds. Know what I'm sayin?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. THIS JUST IN: Ice made out of frozen water. n/t

[msgadget]

13. Yeah, I hear ya

When I see a title like this I click on the link expecting it to be satirical but they usually turn out to be, well, dumb-ass 'olds' instead...

[acmejack]

10. Voice over of Gomer Pyle "Surprise, Surprise!"

[HysteryDiagnosis]

11. Would this be the first or the second United State of Arabia?? n/t

[tom_paine]

14. HINT: We knew you were lying all along...

Any Free Person with any sense of the history of Totalitarianism, witnessing the rise of it's newest form, BushPutinism, could have told you that, Mr. Abizaid.

I know, I know, "catapulting the propaganda" is all that counts, and being caught in a lie only matters if you acknowledge it.

We who studied these principles as practiced by the Nazis and Soviets (two of Totalitarianism's previous forms), stand in awe at the "Public Relations" geniuses who essentially sold Slavery to some of the freest people in the world, the citizens of the Old American Republic.

[lovuian]

15. Abizaid needs to get on the same page... especially after he

called Congress Moslem bashers...

[Barrett808]

16. US vows no permanent bases in Iraq

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2167005

[Triana]

17. It's all about the oil...

...and WHO is surprised that the US will have permenant bases there?

Not I.

[oblivious]

19. Yup: "Ultimately it comes down to the free flow of...resources"

[autorank]

18. Where was he when he said this?

The polls on Iraqi hostility to the USA have increased from 50% supporting terror against our soldiers to a higher percentage. These soldiers don't have a choice as to where they serve. They do their duty and go where they're told. This is an unacceptable order, the order that they remain for even a month longer. Maybe if the joint chiefs of staff relocated to Iraq we could take this seriously.

Please general. What are you bucking for.? Duke of the Western Region (formerly known as "west of the Rockies") or King's Counselor.

I'm stunned. Recommended.

[saigon68]

20. Recommended

For all to comment

[sabra]

21. US 'may want to keep Iraq bases'

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/12459655-B62F-4135-A05B-A04B52821F46.htm

US 'may want to keep Iraq bases'

The United States may want to keep a long-term military presence in Iraq to bolster moderates against extremists in the region and protect oil supplies, the army general overseeing US operations in Iraq has said.

While the Bush administration has downplayed prospects for permanent US bases in Iraq, General John Abizaid told a House of Representatives subcommittee on Tuesday he could not rule that out.

Abizaid said that policy would be worked out with a unified, national Iraqi government if and when that is established, "and it would be premature for me to predict".

Many Democrats have pressed President George Bush to firmly state that the United States does not intend to seek permanent military bases in Iraq, a step they said would help stem the violence there.

[realisticphish]

22. Noooo....

who woulda seen THAT coming.

[Dunvegan]

23. "MAY want to keep Iraqi bases." How coy.

:sarcasm:

[pocoloco]

24. You didn't know that?????

[leesa]

25. What is this..a whole 3 days after denying they want permanent bases there

[WePurrsevere]

26. Oh yeah like this a big surprise. Figured it was part of the big ($) plan.

n/t

[Lerkfish]

27. "may want"? that was the intention all along. the bases were built as

permanent.

[oasis]

29. OIL # 1 reason. WMD #1 excuse. Democracy #1 joke.

:eyes:

[RazzleDazzle]

30. What a brilliant idea. Why didn't WE think of that?

Bet the Iraqis will love it too.

[anitar1]

31. Sorry it took me so long to post. I fainted and had to be

revived. I was soooo shocked! Not. These asshats must really think we are all milling around baaaing, in our enclosures.