Ex-Commander Says officials have been “derelict in their duties” and guilty of a “lust for power”

[dajoki]

Ex-Commander Says Iraq Effort Is ‘a Nightmare’
By DAVID S. CLOUD
Published: October 13, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/13/washington/13general.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1192298698-52Q/4zrSvGZ2VJR3sOH8xQ

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 — In a sweeping indictment of the four-year effort in Iraq, the former top commander of American forces there called the Bush administration’s handling of the war “incompetent” and said the result was “a nightmare with no end in sight.”

Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, who retired in 2006 after being replaced in Iraq after the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal, blamed the Bush administration for a “catastrophically flawed, unrealistically optimistic war plan” and denounced the current addition of American forces as a “desperate” move that would not achieve long-term stability.

“After more than four years of fighting, America continues its desperate struggle in Iraq without any concerted effort to devise a strategy that will achieve victory in that war-torn country or in the greater conflict against extremism,” General Sanchez said at a gathering of military reporters and editors in Arlington, Va.

<<snip>>

General Sanchez said he was convinced that the American effort in Iraq was failing the day after he took command, in June 2003. Asked why he waited until nearly a year after his retirement to voice his concerns publicly, he responded that it was not the place of active-duty officers to challenge lawful orders from the civilian authorities.

<<snip>>

“There has been a glaring and unfortunate display of incompetent strategic leadership within our national leaders,” he said, adding that civilian officials have been “derelict in their duties” and guilty of a “lust for power.”

[niyad]

1. he may, as was pointed out on KO the other night, be covering his own ass, but that doesn't stop his

assessment from being the truth.

[Fredda Weinberg]

2. I heard Sanchez months ago ... if you haven't been paying attention

this is news.

[whistle]

3. Somehow Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez was unable to come forward

...with this while he still maintained command? Then I must assume that between the time he took command in June 2003 and up to or shortly before he was replaced in early 2006, Gen Sanchez must have supported BushCo's policies as they related to the war. Even when he appeared before congress Gen Sanchez testified in support of the war and how it was being executed. He is now covering his ass because he knows he will eventually be charged with war crimes.

<snip>
From Sanchez' testimony of May 19, 2004:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39851-2004May19_3.html

U.S. SENATOR JACK REED (D-RI): General Sanchez, today's USA Today, sir, reported that you ordered or approved the use of sleep deprivation, intimidation by guard dogs, excessive noise and inducing fear as an interrogation method for a prisoner in Abu Ghraib prison. Is that correct?

SANCHEZ: Sir, that may be correct that it's in a news article, but I never approved any of those measures to be used within CJTF-7 at any time in the last year.

That is absolutely refuted by the newly released memo, which says:

Presence of Military Working Dog: Exploits Arab fear of dogs ...
Sleep Management: Detainee provided minimum of 4 hours sleep per 24 hour period, not to exceed 72 continuous hours.
Yelling, Loud Music, and Light Control: Used to create fear... (Sanchez's wording, not mine.)

Sanchez is clearly guilty of perjury, and should face the wrath of Congress... and the Senate should determine the guilt of his boss, Donald Rumsfeld, while they're at it.

<commentary from> http://insomnia.livejournal.com/547941.html

[dajoki]

5. I doubt that he will ever be charged with war crimes n/t

[msongs]

4. first he had to secure his retirement pension and health coverage nt