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Rumsfeld Arrives in Baghdad to Visit Troops, Meet with Leaders (DoD)
DoD-AFPS ^ | May 13, 2004 | Kathleen T. Rhem

Posted on 05/13/2004 7:22:09 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

American Forces Press Service


Rumsfeld Arrives in Baghdad to Visit Troops, Meet with Leaders

By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 13, 2004 – Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Baghdad today for a surprise visit to U.S. troops and to meet with military and Coalition Provisional Authority officials.

Rumsfeld, accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Richard B. Myers, arrived in Iraq at about 12:30 p.m. local time. He immediately met with Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 7, and Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, the U.S. civil administer in Iraq.

"General Myers and I decided we thought it would be a useful thing for us to go to Iraq and to meet with some people who have been involved in various aspects of things that are important to us," Rumsfeld said while en route.

The secretary stressed they were not visiting Baghdad to inspect progress or do any sort of review of operations. "We're not on an inspection tour, we're not inspectors, we're not inspector generals," he said. "We've got talented people throughout the government, in and out of the government for that matter, who are addressing these things in an orderly way."

The secretary also was firm in denying he was traveling to Iraq to gauge the reaction to the release of photos of American soldiers apparently abusing Iraqi prisoners.

"The idea that I could go in there and do a 'Gallop Poll,' it's not possible," he said "I'm going to be there a relatively short period of time. I'm one person; I'll do my best."

For security reasons, officials are releasing no further details of the visit.

Rumsfeld and Myers departed for the highly secret mission to Iraq aboard the Air Force's E-4B National Airborne Operations Center immediately following their joint testimony to a Senate committee on Capitol Hill May 12.

This was the first time Rumsfeld and Myers had flown together, officials said. The two generally fly aboard separate planes due to security concerns. This was also the first time Rumsfeld has flown aboard the National Airborne Command Center, a modified Boeing 747 jet designed to serve as a survivable mobile command center in a national emergency.

Speaking to reporters aboard the plane, Rumsfeld and Myers were hesitant to pass judgment on the soldiers depicted mistreating Iraqi detainees in photographs from Abu Ghraib prison here.

Both men said they were concerned any comments they made could potentially harm efforts to prosecute wrongdoers.

"The worst possible outcome is that (the alleged abusers) get off, that somehow through all the discussions that we've been having and somehow releasing evidence that we have that people who deserve to be punished somehow are released," Myers said. "That is a real legitimate worry for anybody in the chain of command."

"We have to avoid command influence," Rumsfeld said. "We have to avoid saying things that end up having guilty people released from penalties because of our words."

Biographies:
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
Gen. Richard B. Myers
Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez
Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: gnfi; iraq
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Related:

8 Good News in Iraq Being Ignored, Rumsfeld Says  ~ AFPS | 5/12/04 | Gerry J. Gilmore
8 Rumsfeld: Abuse Charges Don't Overshadow Good in Iraq, U.S. Military ~ AFPS | 5/11/04 | Donna Miles

1 posted on 05/13/2004 7:22:11 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl



2 posted on 05/13/2004 7:30:27 AM PDT by TomGuy (Clintonites have such good hind-sight because they had their heads up their hind-ends 8 years.)
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To: MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ...

Rumsfeld, accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Richard B. Myers, arrived in Iraq at about 12:30 p.m. local time. He immediately met with Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 7, and Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, the U.S. civil administer in Iraq.

"General Myers and I decided we thought it would be a useful thing for us to go to Iraq and to meet with some people who have been involved in various aspects of things that are important to us.."

"We're not on an inspection tour, we're not inspectors, we're not inspector generals.."

"I'm going to be there a relatively short period of time. I'm one person; I'll do my best."

For security reasons, officials are releasing no further details of the visit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Rummy (good news for the good guys), ping. *

3 posted on 05/13/2004 7:32:54 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: TomGuy
Thanks for the pics, TomGuy!
4 posted on 05/13/2004 7:33:57 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Of course the media is doing everything they can to disparage the trip.
5 posted on 05/13/2004 7:33:59 AM PDT by Piquaboy
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
" ... and to meet with some people who have been involved in various aspects of things that are important to us,"

Classic Rumsfeld!

The Situation
Things will not be necessarily continuous.
The fact that they are something other than perfectly continuous
Ought not to be characterized as a pause.
There will be some things that people will see.
There will be some things that people won't see.
And life goes on.

—Oct. 12, 2001, Department of Defense news briefing

From The Poetry of Donald Rumsfeld
6 posted on 05/13/2004 7:36:28 AM PDT by hemogoblin (The few, the proud, the 537.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
>Rumsfeld Arrives in Baghdad

As soon as I heard,
I thought, 'Oh-no, this must be
like a goodbye tour . . .'

I wonder if that
is what's going on, if he's
going to resign . . .

7 posted on 05/13/2004 7:37:53 AM PDT by theFIRMbss
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To: hemogoblin
Watching it as I type - great greeting for two great men!
HooRah!

"Wanted to look these folks in the eye and tell you what a wonderful job you folks are doing."

I love Rummy and Myers.

TNT
8 posted on 05/13/2004 7:39:17 AM PDT by TruthNtegrity (The heck with justice. I want revenge and I want it NOW!)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Long Live Rummy!
9 posted on 05/13/2004 7:41:29 AM PDT by F14 Pilot (John ''Fedayeen" sKerry - the Mullahs' regime candidate)
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To: TruthNtegrity
Rummy - "I've stopped reading the newspapers."

Me, too

"It's fact, I'm a survivor."
10 posted on 05/13/2004 7:43:10 AM PDT by TruthNtegrity (The heck with justice. I want revenge and I want it NOW!)
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To: TruthNtegrity
How long has this "live" Rummy thing been on? I just realized it was on.
Thanks
11 posted on 05/13/2004 7:49:44 AM PDT by GottaLuvAkitas1 (Call me Spooky Mulder, but I think Hillary leaked the "abuse" photos)
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To: TruthNtegrity
HooRah!

Yeah. So for the first time in about a year I happened to be watching our eye candy on a show called Good Day LA or something like that. They interrupted the show to show Rumsfeld.

They went through the introductory stuff and you heard the guy requesting a “HooRah” or “HooYah” or whatever it was a couple of times, then Rumsfeld came out.

Every time (initially) that he spoke a line they all said “waaaaaa” or “huuuuuh” – drawn out for a while… WTF was that?

I’ve heard the HooYah/HooRah stuff before, but never the waaaaaaa crap. Not unless you’re at a bar or something…

12 posted on 05/13/2004 7:50:43 AM PDT by Who dat?
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To: Who dat?
We show are age when we don't know "this stuff"...

I too, haven't a clue.. but felt it was something of a support, whoopie type thing (golly, I hope so)
13 posted on 05/13/2004 8:12:11 AM PDT by DollyCali ("Trying to keep the Freepers pulling in the same direction is like trying to herd cats." Richard Poe)
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To: Who dat?
LOL...it sounds like something positive in testosterone!
14 posted on 05/13/2004 8:14:12 AM PDT by richandfamous
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To: All
The live Rummy Myhers show has been on live (Fox) for about 45 minutes so far and they love him!! What a joy to see these guys and our Rummy and his men. We are lucky to have guys such as these and it makes the DNC libs livid!!! Youhahhhhhhhhhh!!
15 posted on 05/13/2004 8:16:40 AM PDT by cousair
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To: TruthNtegrity; Eagle Eye; Allegra
SOD Rumsfeld in Iraq, 5/13/04:
 
"Gen. Myers and I are proud to be here with the First Team."
 
"We wanted a chance to look you folks in the eye and tell you how proud you are and tell you what a wonderful job you are doing."
 
(sends gratitude from the CinC)
 
"You folks have helped to liberate 25 million human beings..."
 
"I know you have security responsibilities....you're showing the Iraqi people and the people of the world the character of the country that we're from, and the character of the men and women of the armed services."
 
(re prison abuses) "Like each of you - I was stunned - it was a body-blow...and with 6 or 7 investigations under way - in a country that has values - and a military with values - we know that those, whoever they are, will be brought to justice."
 
"It is important for each of you to know that that is not the value of America....and we're proud of you, each of you."
 
"Each of you is here because you volunteered to serve your country."
 
"Men and women who served in America - they understand America, and our values."
 
"The people of the wolrd understand that also."
 
"The fact is, people line up every year to come to America."
 
"United States is the last, best hope of humankind."
 
"I've stopped reading the newspapers."  (loud applause and cheers from troops).
 
"It's a fact."
 
"I'm a survivor."
 
(Reading a book on Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War) "Several battles where 1000, 2000, 3000 were lost in days....debate was vigorous, I would say vicious - editorials written critical of everything - no e-mails or telephones, but there were Soldiers' diaries and letters - and there were honest questions by politicians, editoiral writers...can we win? Is it worth it? Those are big questions."
 
"You could see the back and forth and heartfelt concern - and the unbelieveable criticism of Abraham Lincoln - and generals on both sides - but they were steadfast."
 
"...and those generals that looked back - and saw a nation - a single nation - they knew they had been part of something really big, and it had been worth it."
 
"You folks are young...I'm not...and you're going to look back on this conflict...and it is going to be a rough road ahead....we know that...(freedom) is not an easy path...that's a tough path, and plenty of mistakes will be made, and people will have to be picked up, and put back on that path...but one day you're going to look back, and you're going to be proud of your service, and you're going to say it was worth it."
 
"Dick Myers' service is a model for our country - and he is a wonderful partner."
 
(Cheers, whistles)
 
Gen. Richard Myers:
 
"We are happy to be here. I mean..we are really, really happy to be here." (cheers)
 
"You have never let us down - never, ever."
 
"I have so much confidence in you."
 
"I am confident because you are well-trained, well-led, well-equipped...you understand the importance of what we do ..."
 
"I am really confident in your leadership..."
 
"I hope you heard me say - on numerous occasion - my confidence in the chain of command...Gen. Abizaid, Sanchez...down to the squad leaders - leadership that makes a difference (every day)..."
 
"The President came to the Pentagon this week - As you look up at our chain of command, you couldn't have better leadership in providing us the direction - the resources - and I'm talking about our Secretary of Defense, and our Commander in Chief."
 
(loud applause, cheers!)
 
"I'm confident about our justice system in the military - those who stray, there will be due process..."
 
"You ARE the greatest generation." (millions of Americans...and Iraqis understand that)
 
"I couldn't be prouder to represent you."
 
"There is no doubt that we are going to be victorious. No doubt whatsoever."
 
"The essential goodness...is reflected in you and what you do day in and day out."
 
"I couldn't be prouder."
 
"We thank you for your service, and we thank your families for their service."
 
(standing O, loud cheers!)
 
---------------------
 
Questions:
 
Rummy:
 
"It's generally a lot more fun here than it is back home."
 
"We can take anything you can dish out. When I say "we", I mean Dick Myers."
 
SOD Rumsfeld: "The abuses of a few are not going to change how we manage this force....active, reserves - we need all of you to make this thing work for our country."
 
"We'll do our best and that's our responsibility." (Gen. Myers on getting armor and best equip to troops - making and getting uparmored HUMVEES there as fast as possible)
 
"You get a ticket to wherever you wind up - and all the way back." (Gen. Myers, re. Congress paying for travel expenses for the troops).
 
SOD Rumsfeld, "If it proves that Dick Myers is wrong, he'll step up and pay for your ticket."
 
("Yes, I will, but only his." - laughs)
 
Questions continue. Transcript should be available at DoD, later this afternoon.

Gen. Sanchez IS looking into getting civilians who are in harm's way 'permission' to arm themselves.

Soldier, 1st CAV, says he's never seen the Iraqi people happier.

16 posted on 05/13/2004 8:19:14 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: cousair
It makes my heart glad to be American! Youhahhhhhhhhhh!!
17 posted on 05/13/2004 8:21:40 AM PDT by richandfamous
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I love Rummy bump!

LOL! Rush just said that Rummy "went to Iraq for R & R."

(I love Rush, too.)
18 posted on 05/13/2004 9:12:31 AM PDT by RottiBiz (Help end Freepathons -- become a Monthly Donor.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Secretary Rumsfeld is a neat guy.

His interest in finding what works, is among the finest attributes of a military leader.

His ability to map out the processes about which he speaks, by the way he speaks, is a practice that I wish many, many more Republicans would adopt --- analytical explanation. His work is outstanding.

This man is the star running back.

19 posted on 05/13/2004 10:18:24 AM PDT by First_Salute (May God save our democratic-republican government, from a government by judiciary.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

20 posted on 05/13/2004 10:23:23 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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