US general condemns Iraq failures (embedded ret. general in TV studio alert)

The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 06/22/03 | Ed Vulliamy

[Pokey78]

One of the most experienced and respected figures in a generation of American warfare and peacekeeping yesterday accused the US administration of 'failing to prepare for the consequences of victory' in Iraq. At the end of a week that saw a war of attrition develop against the US military, General William Nash told The Observer that the US had 'lost its window of opportunity' after felling Saddam Hussein's regime and was embarking on a long-term expenditure of people and dollars for which it had not planned.

'It is an endeavour which was not understood by the administration to begin with,' he said.

Now retired, Nash served in the Vietnam war and in Operation Desert Storm (the first Gulf War) before becoming commander of US forces in Bosnia and then an acclaimed UN Civil Affairs administrator in Kosovo.

He is currently a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, specialising in conflict prevention.

In one of the most outspoken critiques from a man of his standing, Nash said the US had 'failed to understand the mindset and attitudes of the Iraqi people and the depth of hostility towards the US in much of the country'.

'It is much greater and deeper than just the consequences of war,' he added. 'It comes from 12 years of sanctions, Israel and Palestinians, and a host of issues.'

As a result, he says, 'we are now seeing the re-emergence of a reasonably organised military opposition - small scale, but it could escalate.'

It was insufficient for the US to presume that the forces now harassing and killing American troops were necessarily confined to what he called a residue of the Saddam regime. 'What we are facing today is a confluence of various forces which channel the disgruntlement of the people,' said Nash.

'You can't tell who is behind the latest rocket propelled grenade. It could be a father whose daughter has been killed; it could be a political leader trying to gain a following, or it could be rump Saddam. Either way, they are starting to converge.'

He said: 'the window of opportunity which occurred with the fall of Saddam was not seized in terms of establishing stability'.

'In the entire region - and Iraq is typical - there is a sense that America can do whatever it wants. So that if America decides to protect the oilfields and oil ministry, it can.

'And if America doesn't provide electricity and water or fails to protect medical supplies, it is because they don't want to or they don't care.'

Nash is reluctant to make comparisons with Vietnam: 'There are far more things that were different about Vietnam than there are similarities. Except perhaps the word "quagmire". Maybe that is the only thing that is the same.'

[Pukin Dog]

Every time one of these fools speaks up, I take it as a signal of good news pending from the Administration.

Today on Fox News, I heard Jim Pinkerton ask why the media is upset about 1 shooting a day in Iraq while not upset about 20 shootings a day in New York City.

[leadpenny]

. . . becoming commander of US forces in Bosnia and then an acclaimed UN Civil Affairs administrator in Kosovo.

I wonder if MG Nash might want to explain why an acclaimed leader retired at his Division Commander rank?

[OREALLY]

When I read the headline...I suspected Gen. Wesley 'Panick' Clark...

[Pokey78]

I thought that too, but I think Wes is too busy looking up where 'progressive taxation' is in the Constitution.

[OREALLY]

It's a shame these men are able to put a $price on honor !...but then they probably had none to start with.

[Jorge]

Today on Fox News, I heard Jim Pinkerton ask why the media is upset about 1 shooting a day in Iraq while not upset about 20 shootings a day in New York City.

I saw that too. An excellent point.

[HatSteel]

I know why Nash retired as an MG after a successful Bosnian campaign. He was caught in an affair with a female lieutenant under his command. The army let him go quietly.

His wife, a good woman who worked tirelessly for him keeping families together while he was in Bosnia, was heartbroke and humiliated.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Fox News watch is a cool show. A must-watch if I'm home. Pinkerton and Cal Thomas usually do a pretty good number on the liberals.

[cmdrzero]

There seems to always be a reason why the various "talking head" retired generals are retired.

[saquin]

Today on Fox News, I heard Jim Pinkerton ask why the media is upset about 1 shooting a day in Iraq while not upset about 20 shootings a day in New York City.

I saw that too. An excellent point.

Excellent point in principle, except for using NYC as an example of a crime-ridden city. NYC doesn't have 20 shootings a day and has a lower crime rate than Omaha, Nebraska. But otherwise... excellent point.

[HatSteel]

US forces in Iraq/Kuwait total something like 200,000 if my memory is correct.

How many DEATHS by accident/homicide/suicide would a city of the same size have in one day?

[HatSteel]

I was there at the time. My information is certain.

[Mike Darancette]

General William Nash has his headquarters firmly imbedded in his hindquarters.

[FreePaul]

General Nash? I remember General Motors and Nash Rambler but I don't think that they ever got together. Oh Well. Somebody somewhere has heard of General Nash. Haven't they?

[Jorge]

Excellent point in principle, except for using NYC as an example of a crime-ridden city. NYC doesn't have 20 shootings a day and has a lower crime rate than Omaha, Nebraska. But otherwise... excellent point.

I guess he was exagerating...but since NYC has a reputation (perhaps undeserved) to live down..it made his point.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" Today on Fox News, I heard Jim Pinkerton "

I only caught part of the roundtable this evening-is he in Kuwait? According to CNN tonight -there have been 58 US deaths since the major fighting ended. The number killed from hostile fire-18.

[Atchafalaya]

Both suffer from Clintophrenia!

[Atchafalaya]

That is why he is so flexible!

[Rudder]

...an acclaimed UN Civil Affairs administrator in Kosovo.

An "acclaimed" bureaucrat? For the UN?

This reporter's excitement is palpable.