By WAM
Dubai : Two UAE major English language newspapers editorially lambasted the American occupation of Iraq and the US post-occupation planning.
The Dubai-based Khaleej Times said it is now clear that the Pentagon?s military planning did not go beyond the ?shock and awe? occupation campaign.
“The world?s best equipped military ever just stood limp once the battle scene shifted from the cruise missiles and air raids that took down Baghdad and into the guerrilla insurgency period that has seen rag-tag militias embarrass the US military,” it remarked.
Commenting on two milestones of the Iraq war this week, namely the fifth anniversary of the US adventure and US casualties reaching the 4,000 mark, the paper said “both President Bush and Vice-President Cheney reconfirmed their combined opinion that the initiative has been a success, just in case the daily news of death and destruction was leading the world to believe otherwise.” “That a good 97 per cent of the deaths occurred after Bush boasted ?mission accomplished? in May ?03 speaks volumes of the lack of preparation as well as the real intentions of the ill fated campaign.” Criticizing the post occupation period which it said has betrayed a glaring lack of insight into the working mechanism of the country they set out to conquer, the paper said: “initial decisions like disbanding the army and disposing of everything Baathis had catastrophic spillovers that reverberate to this day.” “Even worse has been the reaction to the insurgency, which has continuously gained strength. The two indicate Washington thought about little save toppling Saddam?s regime, thinking the rest would automatically fall into place, it opined.
Th paper also criticized what it called the “much-trumpeted troop surge” for not turning out exactly according to expectations.
As time comes for the increased lot to return home, Washington faces certain increases in violence, putting pressure on an extended army that cannot be maintained.
“Lost in all of America?s official argument is the pain coming the Iraqis? way: paper, with untold numbers having perished, made homeless, destitute and pushed to starvation,’ lamented the paper.
“No doubt Bush and Cheney will not shift from their ?victory? slogan till they leave office soon, but there should be a mechanism to check hostilities that will keep the 4,000 number growing long after the neocons have left the House,” concluded the Khaleej Times.
Following suit in attacking the US occupation of Iraq, the Gulf News said In an editorial titled “For whom the death tolls”, the paper said the: “White House will shortly announce that it is suspending planned troop withdrawals from Iraq and the manner in which the Democrats respond to this will have an impact on the election.” “Just after the Iraq invasion in 2003 the American military were at pains to point out that they did not do body counts of civilian deaths. It was just one of many acts of arrogance that distanced the occupiers from those they were legally meant to protect,” it noted.
Figures for civilian deaths, according to the paper, are much higher and range from 60,000 to more than a million.
“Whatever figure is closer to reality there is no denying the catastrophe for civilians that was unleashed by the invasion. While Iraq may not be the headline news it once was, that could easily change,” it opined.
“It is not difficult to forecast with disturbing certainty that there will be more violent deaths between now and November, military and civilian. As election day looms larger, Iraq will present both Republicans and Democrats with some tough choices,” concluded the Gulf News.