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a_unique_person
12th May 2003, 05:26 PM
Apparently it is not going too well. Already two heads have rolled, with other more minor staff getting the chop as well.



US flies in new rebuilding team
May 13 2003
By Patrick Tyler, Edmund Andrews
Baghdad

With the top US civilian administrators for Iraq recalled to Washington, a senior replacement arrived in the region yesterday accompanied by one of the highest-ranking US military generals.

Bush Administration officials have confirmed that Jay Garner, the retired lieutenant-general who is the top civil administrator in Iraq, will leave Baghdad soon and that other senior officials also will be replaced.

US officials said Barbara Bodine, who has been in charge of reconstruction for the Baghdad region, was abruptly given notice and will be leaving within the next day or two. A former ambassador to Yemen, Ms Bodine will take a senior post at the State Department.

The reshuffle coincided with the arrival in Basra of Paul Bremer, a career diplomat and counter-terrorism expert who is to take over General Garner's job as the top US civil administrator.

Mr Bremer, who is travelling with Air Force general Richard Myers, the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, was expected to outline his plans for postwar Iraq on his tour of the region, including visits to Kuwait and Iraq.

Others expected to leave soon include Margaret Tutwiler, who had been in charge of overall communications under General Garner; Tim Carney, a former ambassador who had been overseeing Iraq's Ministry of Industry and Minerals; David Dunford, a senior Foreign Service specialist on the Middle East; and John Limbert, the ambassador to Mauritania.



http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/12/1052591733126.html

No power, no water and massive civil unrest and crime. The military had the absolute best in terms of firepower and weapons technology, (and it is developing newer weapons all the time, anyone for tactical nukes?), but the basics of civilian life cannot be handled.

a_unique_person
14th May 2003, 09:27 PM
More, looks like there could be a long stay ahead, for quite a large number of troops, and it could be violent. Hopefully the threat of force will be enough to settle things down.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/14/1052885290102.html



US forces' deadly threat to looters

US military forces in Iraq will have the authority to shoot looters on sight under new security measures that will include hiring more police and banning ranking members of the Baath Party from public service.

The new US administrator for Iraq, Paul Bremer, outlined his intentions at a meeting with senior staff this week.

"He made it very clear that he is now in charge," said an official who attended the meeting. "And I think you are going to see a change in the rules of engagement within a few days to get the situation under control."

Asked what this meant, the official replied: "They are going to start shooting a few looters so that the word gets around."

The crackdown comes as the Pentagon is facing calls from its military commanders for more troops to restore order in Iraq as senior US officials concede that America's post-war planning was inadequate.

Last week, General David McKiernan, commander of ground troops in Iraq, said 150,000 soldiers were not enough to impose order.

"Imagine spreading 150,000 soldiers in the state of California and then ask yourself could you secure all of California all the time with 150,000 soldiers," he said.