Posted on 07/04/2010 12:10:36 AM PDT by indianrightwinger
Petraeus: 'We are in this to win' in Afghanistan By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer Deb Riechmann, Associated Press Writer 2 mins ago
.KABUL, Afghanistan – Gen. David Petraeus formally assumed command of the 130,000-strong international force in Afghanistan on Sunday, telling NATO and Afghan officials "we are in this to win" despite rising casualties and growing skepticism about the direction of the nearly 9-year-old war.
Petraeus received two flags — one for the U.S. and the other for NATO — during a ceremony marking the formal assumption of command.
"We are in this to win," he told a crowd of several hundred NATO and Afghan officials at the ceremony at a grassy area just outside coalition headquarters.
"We are engaged in a contests of wills," he said. "We have arrived at a critical moment."
Petraeus succeeded Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was fired last month for intemperate remarks he and his aides made to Rolling Stone magazine about Obama administration officials who were mostly on the civilian side.
"Upfront I also want to recognize the enormous contributions of my predecessor, Gen. Stanley McChrystal," Petraeus said. He said the progress made reflects McChrystal's "vision, energy and leadership."
Speaking before Petraeus, Gen. Egon Ramms, German army commander for the Allied Joint Force Command, also praised the work of McChrystal, saying he took the coalition "forward at a very difficult time."
"We wish Stanley McChrystal well," Ramms said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Obama, Michael Steele and his buddy Al Sharpton are all in agreement, and in opposition ot Petraeus.
Winning is racist!
Because the CIC is a fake, fraud and a communist illegal alien.
0s out of synch with everyone who’s not a pentagon bombing terrorist.
IMHO.
Technically speaking, the subordinate is the one out of synch with his superior as it is the superior who sets policy for the subordinate.
Hope you are well.
Thus, I'll reserve judgment until I see whether you modify, much less completely eliminate, the highly restrictive (dare I say beyond, moronic) Rules of Engagement which are responsible for not only hindering our ability to prevail, but can be seen as responsible for needless casualties of our Warriors.
As I have read that you were one of the architects and supporters of the "Hearts and Minds" concept, put me in the Doubting Thomas column!
Time will tell!
I fixed the punctuation.
General, it's the president on the phone...he wants you to return to Washington...
???
Win what exactly?
The Taliban brought that very point up back in 2001. Turns out they were right. Damn shame.
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