.Former general says best hope in Iraq is 'to stave off defeat'
SAN ANTONIO — The three-star general who led the Iraq war for more than a year now says the situation is bleak and only a large, long-term troop commitment can keep the U.S. from avoiding defeat.
"I think if we do the right things politically and economically with the right Iraqi leadership, we could still salvage at least a stalemate, if you will — not a stalemate but at least stave off defeat," retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez said in Friday's editions of the San Antonio Express-News.
"It's also kind of important for us to answer the question, 'What is victory?' And at this point, I'm not sure America really knows what victory is."
Sanchez, 56, was forced to retire in November after being passed over for commander of U.S. Southern Command, something he said previously was result of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal.
During his stint as commander of the Army's 5th Corps in 2003, Sanchez issued three memos authorizing harsher interrogation techniques at Abu Ghraib, including sleep deprivation and use of dogs, as long as interrogators had written authorization.
After the international scandal erupted with photos of prisoners in degrading positions, the prison manager claimed he and others believed Sanchez's policy allowed the use of dogs and other techniques.
Sanchez isn't the only high-ranking former military leader to criticize the war's handling. Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste has appeared in television commercials accusing the Bush administration of pursuing "a failed strategy that is breaking our great Army."
Sanchez said the situation in Iraq isn't hopeless. He recommended dramatically improved U.S. and Iraqi leadership and a commitment of at least 100,000 troops for six or seven more years.
The general acknowledged that public support for such a move may no longer be available.
"It's very questionable," he said. "In terms of the will of the American people, I think that's pretty frayed at this point."
Sanchez, who is considering writing a book, wouldn't tell the newspaper whether President Bush was engaged on major Iraq decisions.
"Good questions," he replied. "More to follow."
chron
"I think if we do the right things politically and economically with the right Iraqi leadership, we could still salvage at least a stalemate, if you will — not a stalemate but at least stave off defeat," retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez said in Friday's editions of the San Antonio Express-News.
"It's also kind of important for us to answer the question, 'What is victory?' And at this point, I'm not sure America really knows what victory is."
Sanchez, 56, was forced to retire in November after being passed over for commander of U.S. Southern Command, something he said previously was result of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal.
During his stint as commander of the Army's 5th Corps in 2003, Sanchez issued three memos authorizing harsher interrogation techniques at Abu Ghraib, including sleep deprivation and use of dogs, as long as interrogators had written authorization.
After the international scandal erupted with photos of prisoners in degrading positions, the prison manager claimed he and others believed Sanchez's policy allowed the use of dogs and other techniques.
Sanchez isn't the only high-ranking former military leader to criticize the war's handling. Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste has appeared in television commercials accusing the Bush administration of pursuing "a failed strategy that is breaking our great Army."
Sanchez said the situation in Iraq isn't hopeless. He recommended dramatically improved U.S. and Iraqi leadership and a commitment of at least 100,000 troops for six or seven more years.
The general acknowledged that public support for such a move may no longer be available.
"It's very questionable," he said. "In terms of the will of the American people, I think that's pretty frayed at this point."
Sanchez, who is considering writing a book, wouldn't tell the newspaper whether President Bush was engaged on major Iraq decisions.
"Good questions," he replied. "More to follow."
chron
posted by madtom at 10:51 PM
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