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Concrete Speaks Louder Than Words
excerpts from a column by William Frey. November 17, 2005
Those familiar with the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), whose founders include Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld among many who went on to serve in the Bush administration, are familiar with their long advocacy of increased reliance upon the assertion of American military force, supported by an expanded worldwide network of permanent military bases.
Regarding the Middle East, the PNAC policy statement published in 2000, “Rebuilding America’s Defenses”, plainly stated the objective of an increased military presence in the region as a reason for invading Iraq, “While the unresolved conflict with Iraq provides the immediate justification, the need for a substantial American force presence in the Gulf transcends the issue of the regime of Saddam Hussein."
These goals of total military dominance, pursued by civilian, mostly non-combat-experienced, war-hawks despite opposition and warnings from many of our most experienced generals, not only conflicts with American ideals, but is irreconcilable with administration rhetoric. Indeed, President Bush and members of his administration have taken precautions to dispel any notion that they have plans for a permanent military presence in Iraq:
On April 13, 2004, President Bush said, “As a proud and independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation and neither does America.” Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee February 17, stated, “We have no intention, at the present time, of putting permanent bases in Iraq.” The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, said in an interview on Iraqi television August 15, 2005, “We are not seeking to maintain permanent bases in Iraq.”
But concrete speaks louder than words.
You have been reading excerpts from "Confessions of a Repentant Republican" by William Frey. You can read the entire piece here: tinyurl.com/854v9. Thanks to consortiumnews.com. We visit often and we hope you will too.
excerpts from a column by William Frey. November 17, 2005
Those familiar with the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), whose founders include Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld among many who went on to serve in the Bush administration, are familiar with their long advocacy of increased reliance upon the assertion of American military force, supported by an expanded worldwide network of permanent military bases.
Regarding the Middle East, the PNAC policy statement published in 2000, “Rebuilding America’s Defenses”, plainly stated the objective of an increased military presence in the region as a reason for invading Iraq, “While the unresolved conflict with Iraq provides the immediate justification, the need for a substantial American force presence in the Gulf transcends the issue of the regime of Saddam Hussein."
These goals of total military dominance, pursued by civilian, mostly non-combat-experienced, war-hawks despite opposition and warnings from many of our most experienced generals, not only conflicts with American ideals, but is irreconcilable with administration rhetoric. Indeed, President Bush and members of his administration have taken precautions to dispel any notion that they have plans for a permanent military presence in Iraq:
On April 13, 2004, President Bush said, “As a proud and independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation and neither does America.” Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee February 17, stated, “We have no intention, at the present time, of putting permanent bases in Iraq.” The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, said in an interview on Iraqi television August 15, 2005, “We are not seeking to maintain permanent bases in Iraq.”
But concrete speaks louder than words.
You have been reading excerpts from "Confessions of a Repentant Republican" by William Frey. You can read the entire piece here: tinyurl.com/854v9. Thanks to consortiumnews.com. We visit often and we hope you will too.
