British general optimistic about progress

Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^

[SandRat]

Lt. Gen. Graeme Lamb, senior British Military Representative in Iraq and deputy commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq, explains how the new plan for Baghdad is showing results. Photo By U.S. Army Pfc. Lajuan Hickman, Combined Press Information Center.

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi progress was discussed during a press conference with the Pentagon Press Corps Friday. The event was conducted via satellite at the Combined Press Information Center in the International Zone.

Lt. Gen. Graeme Lamb, senior British Military Representative in Iraq and deputy commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq, discussed the status of the Iraqi government and security forces.

“We are judged by our actions in this world, and I do see them (the Iraqi people) taking the right actions,” said Lamb.

The difference the Iraqis have made in a short period of time is encouraging and shows that time and efforts have not been wasted.

I’ve been here four times now and each time I’ve come back, there have been small steps toward progress, said Lamb.

If Lamb seems hopeful it’s from the positive outcomes that are being made, not just in the Iraqi military, but in the humanitarian efforts that are going on.

“I look at the megawatts of power that are coming on line and I see some of the reconstruction programs that are going out,” Lamb said. “Now that gives me a degree of optimism.”

The forecast for this year seems to be bright as the Iraqi government gets more involved.

“I see 2007 being a point where we continue to move forward,” Lamb said. “I see a commitment with this government that I have not seen before. “

Despite the positive outlook, there is still a lot of criticism when it comes to how the Iraqi government is handling things.

We need to remember that it’s new ground for this prime minister, new ground for this government; actually it’s new ground out here in the Middle East for what they’re doing, Lamb said.

“And don’t forget,” he added, “they’ve only been in power for, what, some 240 days. It took you (Americans) 11 years to write your Constitution, and we’re (British) still trying to write ours.”

Lamb is also quick to dispel any doubts that Iraq’s security forces are not up to standard.

“We’re embedded with the Iraqi forces to ensure that they are capable,” Lamb said.

The sacrifice and effort that the U.S. military personnel have provided in aiding Iraq during this time of crisis has not gone unnoticed.

“I see American Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and civilians, none of them shrinking from their duty,” Lamb said. “They are in service of your great nation and they deserve the love and thanks of every man and woman.”

(By U.S. Army Spc. Scott Kim, Combined Press Information Center)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

• A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was safely neutralized after being reported to local Iraqi police hours after a separate VBIED struck a police station in Iraq’s northern city of Kirkuk, Wednesday.

• Iraqi Army Soldiers, Iraqi Police and Marines completed Operation Arbead II in Fallujah Thursday. The operation to detain members of a murder and intimidation cell within the Mualimeen, Ardaloos and Risalah-Jubayl Districts was led by Iraqi forces with support from the Marines of Regimental Combat Team 5.

[SandRat]

Press Releases

• Paratroopers detain two suspects in south Baghdad
• Joint operation nets weapon cache, detainees
• Iraqi police foil car bomb attack, detain two suspects at IZ checkpoint
• Karbala Provincial Joint Coordination Center attacked by militia
• ABOT isolation spools installed ahead of time
• Marine killed in Al Anbar

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

[ClancyJ]

How nice to hear a compliment from the British of our soldiers and our country. A rarity nowadays.

[SandRat]

You'll hear it from the Ranks, from the officers under Colonel and only from Senior Officers that haven't been fouled by Montgomeryism.

[IonInsights]

But can Bush and co. convince the American people of progress (or victory) above the noise of the NSM and the Rats?

[SandRat]

Sadly I think the Left has drowned out any chance for the voices of reason.

[the scotsman]

Here we go....

This myth that Monty didnt rate American soldiers,when in fact he complimented them several times in ww2...

[SandRat]

As a professional Army Officer, I had much professional reading to do over the 20+ years of service in active uniform. One of those readings was of Field Marshal Montgomery's Memoirs. (Yes, it was on what was then called the Adjutant General's Recommended Professional Development Reading list. The Army say Recommended yet any serving soldier knows what is really being said is Required.)

Yes, he did rate the American soldier in the ranks well, complimenting them on several occasions. However, he was somewhat disparaging of American Officers in general, and understandably, General Patton in particular.

[the scotsman]

Actually despite the myth of Monty and Patton 'hating' one another,the hate really came from Ol' George....

Monty didnt have anywhere near the same hatred for Patton as vice versa.In fact he rated Patton(albeit in a slightly backhanded way that has been construed as pompous).

[SandRat]

A good part of is the difference between two common peoples separated by a common language that's not so common and set of common cultural standard's that are equally not so common
.

From all of the Professional readings that I had to do on the two from both American authors on George and British or British Commonwealth Authors on Monty, the antipathy was there equally for both for the other. It was just.. shall we say the less brusque high-British way of showing that made Monty's appear to be slightly less strident. Where as George's staged and real persona was overtly brusque sometimes to the point of being like a fish bone stuck in your throat.