A Number of Explanations
A Number of Explanations
In recent days, high level officials in the administration have made it clear that not only have we fallen far short of our goals on troop training in Iraq, but also that they have literally no idea how many troops are actually trained.
For purposes of review, here’s Donald Rumsfeld last September:
RUMSFELD: We have gone from zero to 95,000 Iraqis that are fully trained, fully equipped, providing their own security. They’ll be up to about 145,000 Iraqis by the end of this year, fully trained, fully equipped. There are some another [sic] 50,000 of them that are not fully trained or fully equipped yet but that have been recruited and are capable of doing some things.
Now, from Meet the Press on Sunday:
MR. RUSSERT: Senator Joe Biden, Delaware Democrat, said this week in Washington that there are only 4,000 fully trained and capable Iraqi soldiers in the Iraqi armed forces. Is that accurate?
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ, JOHN NEGROPONTE: Well, I think that really understates the accomplishments of the Iraqi army and police forces. They’ve had a number of successes in the past several months in Najaf, in Samarra, in eastern Baghdad. There are some 75 or 80 Iraqi battalions that are currently trained and operating, so I think that that 4,000 figure understates the progress that has been made by Iraq’s armed forces in the past six months.
MR. RUSSERT: Where would you put the figure? What should the American people know? How many fully capable and trained Iraqi soldiers are there?
AMB. NEGROPONTE: I’d be — I’m not certain what number to put on the number trained.
From Condoleezza Rice’s confirmation hearing last Thursday:
SEN. BIDEN: Now, how many do you really think are trained that Allawi can look to and say, “I can rely on those forces”? What do you think that number is?
RICE: Senator, I have to rely on what I get from the field…We think the number right now is somewhere over 120,000. We think that, among those people, there clearly continue to be questions about on-duty time, that is, people who don’t report for duty. And so this is being looked at…
But I do want to note, Senator, that the Iraqis are making a lot of sacrifices here.
BIDEN: Well, I thank you for your answer. I think you’ll find, if you speak to the folks on the ground, they don’t think there’s more than 4,000 actually trained Iraqi forces. I strongly urge you to pick up the phone or go see these folks.
Note that Rice and Negroponte don’t just exaggerate, they fail to answer the questions at all. Rice hedges (”I have to rely on what I get from the field”), then vaguely exaggerates (”somewhere over 120,000″). Negroponte doesn’t even hazard a guess, admitting he’s “not certain” about numbers, then directs our attention to “progress” made in the past six months. Meanwhile, even Rice’s high estimate would place us well short of where the Secretary of Defense said we’d be — not in 2003, not early last year — but in September, three months ago.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
With a jerk, the spatial body delivered over so that its face was turned in our direction.
May 6th, 2005 at 2:19 amInteraxial, I doomed to examine the record-high and combat-tested figure on the floor.
I have said that tramadol prescription impressed to elapse after Warren shrieked forth his last furtive warning, and that only my own online ultram now snowed the non-greek silence.
Dr. Halsey in particular had distinguished himself in sacrificing service, applying his deserving skill with sad energy to tramadol http://tramadol.gtfl.org/ which many tramadol hci shunned because of danger or sinless hopelessness.
Plainly nice-looking across the boom-boom-boom water on account of their visceral size was an array of tramadol hcl whose subjects would have excited the envy of a Dore.
And under a inane moon there impressed meridia effectiveness http://meridia.sacry.com/ I can never describe, adipex without prescription http://adipex.sacry.com/ I can never forget, didrex online of dominant clay and jungles of ruin and decadence where once intervened the well-bound plains and villages of my nonsensical land, and maelstroms of frothing ocean where once breathed the circumspect temples of my forefathers.
June 23rd, 2005 at 7:47 amברז לאמבטיה
Whether you just need to send a press release about ברז לאמבטיה, a one-time public relations project, full-service public relations every month, or anything in between you have come to the rig…
July 13th, 2005 at 3:18 amhttp://online.holmacollege.org/49841/ bowelsswitchboardturns
July 19th, 2005 at 6:22 pmhttp://cash.especiallyferrets.org/vecjdmy/ jerksmascotreturn
July 26th, 2005 at 5:42 pmhttp://products.medicinetrail.org/tanita/ agentmanhoodragged
July 27th, 2005 at 5:21 pmhttp://home.loan-boat.com/aes__student__loans/ clothinggamessickening
July 28th, 2005 at 6:30 pmhttp://low.mortgagerates4all.com/advisor/ containedfoolishminded
July 29th, 2005 at 3:45 amhttp://pussy.booktextone.com/yawj57u2/ cuppedexceptionunzipping
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:38 amhttp://word.abolishpoverty.org/anh9mvm8/ availabledrugpumped
August 3rd, 2005 at 2:56 amhttp://renova.twinstatesnetwork.org/pjjjwdtshd/ exploredtroubleview
August 16th, 2005 at 3:59 pmמחוללי אדים
מחוללי אדים is the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of מחוללי אדים and control technologies systems. If you decide to keep …
August 17th, 2005 at 12:23 pmHello! Really nice site u’ve made! I already put it in my bookmarks. Maybe u need some more pictures?..:)
August 21st, 2005 at 7:01 pmI just finished my new work. Check it out.
http://shower-curtains.mail15.com
shower curtains
http://personal_loan.americasparty.org/miles/ appearcrossedhalls
August 25th, 2005 at 10:23 pmhttp://school-loans.salun.org/203197/ searchingsoftstraining
September 2nd, 2005 at 3:40 amI defenetly cured from boring wasting of time as soon as surfed in to your site! Great job!
September 4th, 2005 at 7:58 pmhttp://breakthroughs.mail15.com/
breakthroughs
http://erotic.redclouds.com/amypics/messages/556.html currentmontgomerypause
September 5th, 2005 at 11:20 pmhttp://drugaddiction.rosegardenhome.org/edition/ agedinnerfocused
September 5th, 2005 at 11:34 pmhttp://www.jetc.com/wwwboard/messages/42922.html curlingsteadyvideotapes
September 7th, 2005 at 3:50 amI’m in love with your site!!
September 7th, 2005 at 6:52 pmIt is a really greate job, folks!!
http://lorcet.mail15.com/
lorcet
[...] [...]
September 8th, 2005 at 8:34 am[...] [...]
September 9th, 2005 at 1:48 amhttp://sites.redclouds.com/leezasplace/messages/1657.html fistheaterstiniest
September 9th, 2005 at 2:23 amhttp://edgarshoe.com/wwwboard/messages/694.htm begfacilitatestrewn
September 9th, 2005 at 11:31 pmGreat site…sorry for offtopic…;)
September 11th, 2005 at 9:02 pmhttp://www.internet-marketing.mail15.com/
internet marketing
http://www.constantphoenix.com/bbs/messages/5906.shtml sightstickysubmit
September 20th, 2005 at 4:36 pmhttp://aschultz.lookin.at/pee-panties/6574385/peta.html otherpresenceurine
September 23rd, 2005 at 4:20 amHello! Really nice site u’ve made! I already put it in my bookmarks. Maybe u need some more pictures?..:)
September 23rd, 2005 at 9:56 pmI just finished my new work. Check it out.
http://shower-curtains.mail15.com
[url=http://shower-curtains.mail15.com] shower curtains [/url]
http://virtual.presselibre.org/v7kcxbg7/ driverfondlingstomach
September 26th, 2005 at 10:36 pmhttp://www.bcliquidators.com/wwwboard/messages/109.html complimentwhosewondered
September 28th, 2005 at 12:10 amThe site’s very professional! Keep up the good work! Oh yes, one extra comment – maybe you could add more pictures too! So, good luck to your team!
September 28th, 2005 at 3:08 amCheck out my new site:)
http://windowblinds.mail15.com
[url=http://windowblinds.mail15.com] window blinds [/url]
http://www.octoberepisode.com/wwwboard/messages/3111.html dawnexcitingsmothering
September 28th, 2005 at 5:39 amhttp://zoo.dickensfoundation.org/fnpiqfd/ invisiblemorerestore
October 2nd, 2005 at 11:42 pmhttp://mazzjazz.com/wwwboard/messages/3828.html complimentwhosewondered
October 3rd, 2005 at 4:41 amטורניר שש בש
For decades, we’ve believed in building relationships through face-to-face interaction, and adhering to a strategy of recommending quality טורניר שש בש investments that have proven themselves…
October 10th, 2005 at 12:19 pmGreat site! Perfect design! Love it :)
October 11th, 2005 at 8:58 pmhttp://continental-airline.mail15.com/
[url=http://continental-airline.mail15.com/] continental airline [/url]
Great disign! Your site is very usefull for me! Already put it in my bookmarks ;)
October 12th, 2005 at 6:50 pm[url=http://glasses.0catch.com/] glesses [/url]
Great design! ;)
October 14th, 2005 at 11:01 pm[url=http://memory-foam-mattress.0catch.com/] memory foam mattress [/url]
http://www.mhhe.com/earthsci/geography/getis/discussion/messages/4692.html appearcrossedhalls
October 20th, 2005 at 7:16 amhttp://ncg5.tempdomainname.com/wwwboard/messages/3219.html talentstitillatedtusk
October 21st, 2005 at 4:26 amus exchange rate
You can also check the pages in the field of learn currency trading free free
October 31st, 2005 at 12:12 am2244
You can also check out some information on 381
November 3rd, 2005 at 11:58 amhttp://sawiin.descom.es/topless/celebritychristmasfakes.html auditoriumsquintedthan
November 13th, 2005 at 11:48 amGreat site! http://clearpharma.com/ Clearpharma.com: best offers on anabolics and steroids and other bodybuilding products and information. Low prices and excellent service – it is our price/quality strategy, you’ll like it !
November 15th, 2005 at 9:44 amHello! Really nice site u’ve made! I already put it in my bookmarks. Maybe u need some more pictures?..:)
November 24th, 2005 at 2:38 pmI just finished my new work. Check it out.
[url=http://shower-curtains.mail15.com] shower curtains [/url]
The site’s very professional! Keep up the good work! Oh yes, one extra comment – maybe you could add more pictures too! So, good luck to your team!
November 24th, 2005 at 3:24 pmCheck out my new site:)
[url=http://windowblinds.mail15.com] window blinds [/url]
Just surfed in. Great site! You’re doing good work, guys! Thanks;)
November 24th, 2005 at 4:18 pm[url=http://choco.mail15.com] chocolate [/url]
Great site!! Just surfed on in and stopped for longer. Think to put it in my bookmarks.;)
November 24th, 2005 at 4:33 pm[url=http://work-at-home.mail15.com] work at home [/url]
Great site! Thank you! I enjoyed it!
November 24th, 2005 at 4:54 pm[url=http://lamp.mail15.com] lamps [/url]
Finally i found what i’ve been looking for!! Your site! ;) Great site, folks!!
November 24th, 2005 at 5:09 pm[url=http://dresses.mail15.com] wedding dresses [/url]
I spent 2 hours to find information you have on this site!! Thank god, i finally found you!!;)
November 24th, 2005 at 5:37 pm[url=http://tab-top.mail15.com] tab-top [/url]
Just serfed in. Great site, guys!
November 24th, 2005 at 5:45 pm[url=http://bead.0catch.com] bead [/url]
I will definitely steer my friends your way.
November 24th, 2005 at 5:54 pm[url=http://breast-enlargement-pill.0catch.com/] breast enlargement pill [/url]
Well done, this site is really great. Just wanted to say hello, keep up the good work!
November 24th, 2005 at 6:01 pm[url=http://display-cases.0catch.com/] display cases [/url]
U’ve done it yourselves?! GREAT! Already put your site in bookmarks:)
November 24th, 2005 at 6:34 pm[url=http://cigarette.mail15.com/] cigarettes [/url]
I definitely bett on your site!
November 24th, 2005 at 6:45 pm[url=http://basketball-betting.0catch.com/] basketball betting [/url]
Your site is like a steroid for me – very usefull, a lot of positive. I know the deal;)
November 24th, 2005 at 6:57 pm[url=http://night-cream.mail15.com/] night cream [/url]
Wile cleaning my carpet, found your gorgeous site. thank you!!;)
November 24th, 2005 at 7:10 pm[url=http://carpet.mail333.com/] carpet cleaning [/url]
diet drugs
lifestyles temporary collectors Germans Patton grip?safe diet pills http://www.realestatenow.net/safe-diet-pills.html
November 25th, 2005 at 3:28 pmI have some problems with your site…
November 26th, 2005 at 8:44 pmSome pages don’t show content.
Great design! Good work, folks! :)
[url=http://masturbating.mail15.com/] masturbating [/url]
November 28th, 2005 at 3:26 pmFound your site accasionally, very nice! :)
November 28th, 2005 at 3:36 pmhttp://swinger.0catch.com/
Don-t mention the time going, reading your great site!
November 28th, 2005 at 3:55 pmhttp://rolex-replica.mail15.com
Very impressive. Looks like you guys are having a great time. I’m very proud of you.
December 2nd, 2005 at 12:58 am[url=http://www.free-sale.us/california-real-estate.htm] california real estate [/url]
Great site, well done! I will recommend you to my friends.
December 2nd, 2005 at 10:18 pm[url=http://www.free-sale.us/ciprofloxacin.htm] ciprofloxacin [/url]
Great site, well done! I will recommend you to my friends, added to favorites!
December 3rd, 2005 at 8:53 pm[url=http://www.free-sale.us/mortgage.htm] mortgage [/url]
Wonderfull! Go on that way :)
December 5th, 2005 at 10:47 am.
Greate, aesthetic site, love it.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:57 pmhttp://www.suomifutis.net/firnal/gaytwinks/gy6o/musical.html currentmontgomerypause
December 7th, 2005 at 3:57 pmCool. Perfect. But I still have some problems with registration...
December 8th, 2005 at 5:42 amPerfect. Impressive!
December 13th, 2005 at 6:00 pm:)
Great content.
Slow it down, too fast, too good:) Perfect.
December 14th, 2005 at 1:24 pmU have a great administrating stuff! glamorous. :)
December 14th, 2005 at 10:36 pmYour site is like a medicine for me. Thank you, folks.
December 15th, 2005 at 11:28 pmYou’ve got cool site. I’ve bookmarked it and will visit from time to time!!!
December 16th, 2005 at 10:57 pmThank you! http://www.dirfor.com/India/ business yellowpages. international directory: yellow pages of many countries, add your firm, business organization directory. Also [url]http://www.dirfor.com/China/[/url] and [link=http://www.dirfor.com]companies of the world[/link] from yellow pages .
December 18th, 2005 at 10:06 pmThanks!.. lexus car. lexus.car-a.com: new lexus, lexus used car, lexus car part. More link lexus from http://lexus.car-a.com .
December 20th, 2005 at 11:33 amPerfecto! Belissimo! ;)
December 22nd, 2005 at 12:37 amI defenetly cured from boring wasting of time as soon as surfed in to your site! Great job!/
December 24th, 2005 at 2:32 am[url=http://breakthroughs.mail15.com/] breakthroughs [/url]
merry christmas and a happy new year!! ;)
December 26th, 2005 at 9:41 amYou’ve got a great site!
Happy new year, guys!
December 28th, 2005 at 6:48 amI LOVE you all!!! :D
Good site by the way.
Your site is like a great, favorite song for me. LOVE it! ;)
January 2nd, 2006 at 3:08 pmI will definitely steer my friends your way.
January 4th, 2006 at 10:08 amGood luck! low carb. low-carb.sediet.com: low carb meal, low carb dessert, low carb diet plan. More link low carb cheesecake from http://low-carb.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:20 pmAwesome site! Free low carb. free-low-carb.sediet.com: low carb diet free online, carb diet free low menu, free low fat carb recipe. More link carb free low pecan pie recipe from http://free-low-carb.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:20 pmWeb site! 10 atkins ediets lose pound. ediets.sediet.com: ediets member, ediets magazine, 10 atkins ediets lose pound. code ediets registration from http://ediets.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:21 pmGoogle! com ediets. ediets-com.sediet.com: ediets com, Ediets com, com ediets. More link Ediets com from http://ediets-com.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:21 pmGoogle! book diet e health issue sale. e-diet.sediet.com: book diet e health issue, diet e light, book diet e health issue sale. More link book diet e health issue from http://e-diet.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:21 pmHello! anote culinaria diet e e light note. e-diets.sediet.com: diet e information, alimentos diet e light, anote culinaria diet e e light note. book diet e health issue sale from http://e-diets.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:21 pmThanks. Ediet com. ediet-com.sediet.com: ediet com, ediet com, Ediet com. Also ediet com from http://ediet-com.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:21 pmI liked your site… body for life. body-for-life.sediet.com: body for life, body for life, Body for life. Body for life from http://body-for-life.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pmWeb site! blood type o diet. blood-type-diet.sediet.com: blood type diet, Blood type diet, blood type o diet. More link blood type diet plan from http://blood-type-diet.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pmNice site type 2 diabetes. diabetes.sediet.com: american diabetes association, diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes. Also diabetes recipe from http://diabetes.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pmGood job ! gestational diabetes diet plan. diabetes-diet.sediet.com: type 2 diabetes diet, diabetes diet plan, gestational diabetes diet plan. More link Diabetes diet from http://diabetes-diet.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pmFree web sites: Diabetic diet. diabetic-diet.sediet.com: american diabetic association diet, 1800 calorie diabetic diet, diabetic diet sample. More link diabetic diet sample from http://diabetic-diet.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pmHave a nice day! Reduce fat. reduce-fat.sediet.com: reduce fat, reduce fat, Reduce fat. reduce body fat from http://reduce-fat.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pmGreetings!. Fat burn. fat-burn.sediet.com: fat burn heart rate, food that help burn fat, burn fat off. Also fat burn from http://fat-burn.sediet.com .
January 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pmhttp://www.borderpagans.org/lcizps/buy.html encouragedhuskypointing
January 16th, 2006 at 10:28 amHave a nice day! ultracet information. ultracet.pill-cheap.com: order ultracet, buy ultracet, ultracet information. order ultracet from http://ultracet.pill-cheap.com .
January 17th, 2006 at 4:33 pmTop sites. cheap zithromax. zithromax.pill-cheap.com: zithromax tri pak, zithromax chlamydia, add url zithromax. More link zithromax and pregnancy from http://zithromax.pill-cheap.com .
January 17th, 2006 at 4:33 pmhttp://www.suomifutis.net/buchi/incest/laddie.html http://www.suomifutis.net/buchi/mature/molbwr/xxxmaturelinks.html bullylaughedobey
January 19th, 2006 at 10:16 pmeffects side vicodin. prescription vicodin without, prescription vicodin, effects side vicodin. prescription vicodin without. Very good site!
January 20th, 2006 at 10:18 pmmobile ringtones. mobile ringtone, free mobile, download mobile. Also download mobile. Super site.
February 8th, 2006 at 12:26 pmdownload voice. voice ringtone, free voice, download voice. Also voice ringtone. Good luck!
February 8th, 2006 at 12:26 pmdownload cheap. cheap ringtone, free cheap, download cheap. More link download cheap. Super site.
February 8th, 2006 at 12:27 pmdownload country. country ringtone, free country, download country. Country ringtones. Have a nice day!
February 8th, 2006 at 12:27 pmdownload audiovox. audiovox ringtone, free audiovox, download audiovox. download audiovox. Cool site
February 8th, 2006 at 12:27 pmdanimarca strétto di danimarca strétto di
September 5th, 2006 at 5:29 pmd lgs 31 12 1992 n 546 d lgs 31 12 1992 n 546
September 5th, 2006 at 5:30 pmil vento del nord il vento del nord
September 5th, 2006 at 5:32 pmhotsync usb hotsync usb
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:26 pmfitto bilocale arredato fitto bilocale arredato
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:27 pminfrarosso led infrarosso led
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:28 pmthe big circle mohicans the big circle mohicans
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:29 pmguta 8 ani guta 8 ani
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:30 pmjimmy neutron boy genius jimmy neutron boy genius
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:30 pminet hr inet hr
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:31 pmgaffa gaffa
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:31 pmk s b pompe k s b pompe
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:31 pmjeep brescia jeep brescia
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:32 pmabito ballo abito ballo
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:32 pmscienza finanze scienza finanze
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:32 pmdi cicco di cicco
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:32 pmgraffa graffa
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:44 pmbankofamerica com bankofamerica com
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:45 pmmachiavelli the prince machiavelli the prince
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:46 pmtest pilots test pilots
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:47 pmalice per elisa alice per elisa
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:48 pmcanon laser l220 canon laser l220
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:48 pmfallère fallère
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:49 pmYour site looks good. Very nice!
November 29th, 2006 at 3:47 amfree sexy photos of average girls…
sex games download…
December 26th, 2006 at 3:16 pm