Civil war possible after Iraq elections: US' top soldier

LISBON (AFP) - US army chief General Richard Myers said in an interview that civil war could erupt in Iraq (news - web sites) after forthcoming elections.

However, Myers, the chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, told the daily Publico there was no indication at present this would happen.


"Civil war is still a possibility. We know that there are forces for whom this is an objective," Myers said, adding: "We have not yet any signs that this will happen."


The upcoming elections, pencilled in for January, are seen as a major test of the shattered country's recovery.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041120/pl_afp/iraq_us_vote_myers&cid=1521&ncid=1480

Looking at the headlines today, I'd say they are in the middle of a civil war now. :eyes:

over a year and a half ago.

should have done over a hundred yrs. ago

Syria would grow its military, Afghanistan would return to its Taliban era, plus additional funding from its drug trade. The whole area would be a mess.

At the same time, the liberal and ultraconservative wings in Saudi Arabia would come to blows, causing the House of Saud to collapse. The whole region would be engulfed in flames, oil exports would be down to a trickle.

In essences, A bush-caused self destruct in the world as we know it.

Turkey will accept if we're standing there with the Kurds, Iran will like it a lot, who would Israel attack specifically(Shiites, Sunnis, etc)? Saudis, what do they care; they have enough trouble internally with their own radicals.

People have long memories, especially in the middle east. The British Empire took a pretty good mauling from the Turks, during World War I. They eventually prevailed, but at a hell of a cost. They are out of there now.

problems.

Unfortunately, Rummy's plans have led to quagmire, so it looks as though we are stuck in a hellhole for a long time to come. Given the lack of assets available for other fronts, the US has never been more unsafe.

Of course, that superbly untested and un-usable anti-ballistic missile program dug into a deep hole in Alaska will help us so much, that we can ignore the rest of the world.

the U.S.? Because if you are, I agree with you. Might be a good idea for Iraq, too.

I think Meyers has been standing around too many depleted uranium shells. Try......guaranteed! IF there is an election at all, and IF it is legal and ALL Iraqis vote, there is still no doubt that the country will be in constant turmoil for years, maybe decades to come. There will have to be a U.S. military presence there far after the "election" is held because the Iraqi "Army" will NEVER be willing or able to control the different factions that make up Iraq.

"Stupid is as stupid does."

The people (labeled insurgents) against the paid Iraqi/American army. DUH!

his statement? "Still a possibility...have not seen any signs.." Just wants to be on record as saying "it could happen."

for the upcoming Bush impeachment proceedings! One can only hope.

pugs anymore

the corporate owned news media is not reporting it!!

As the Chimp's Chihuahua, before he trots out to Northrup for his $750,000.00 per year job as a lobbyist Shill. He is a worthless boot lick.

what the hell does he call what's going on right now?

Oh right, this is the same man who when he saw the first WTC burning on TV, told Cleland's secretary not to disturb him.

And just who's side would we be on?

...means that they're anticipating this to be the likeliest outcome. He's letting it out to ready us for an Iraqi free-for-all, with our troops in the middle.:grr:

about the prospects of the impending election. When, if and what the outcome will mean to the Iraq's.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1007723

secure the elections. :shrug: Thought that was the whole purpose of Fallujah........guess now that it's been proven to be a disaster, there is no plan. Sounds like the Pentagon's solution...no plan to win the war, the peace or hold elections. :eyes:

...of the election as legitimate. The majority of Iraqis lost faith in the process when we froze out Lakhdar Brahimi and forced Allawi (CIA stooge) on them.

There's no way this will end with a peaceful outcome. No way...:(

Cronkite said solemnly ... the Bush administration has spent itself into ruin while embroiling the country in a war that will eventually make public revulsion to the war in Vietnam look "like peanuts." http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/112004F.shtml


In 1968, Cronkite was the anchor for the CBS Evening News. The Vietnam War was raging and the American public was deeply divided about U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia. CBS News tried to maintain a strict policy of independent, non-partisan reporting. As the war continued, Cronkite left his studio to report from the field, bringing back reports that, some say, changed the U.S. public's attitude about the war.
http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/atc/20020807.atc.06.ram

:hi:

Lyndon Johnson said that when he knew he lost Cronkite, he knew he lost the American people's support on the war. He announced that he wasn't going to seek another term shortly thereafter...

Thanks for the welcome Cooley ;-) The Fog of War is akin to a winter blanket of snow: soft, deep snow that looks inviting, feels warm and lulls you into a slow numb death! How can America forget Vietnam?! I wasn't there, but the family did watch Cronkite every night. Are there any liberal journalists embedded with the US forces now??? I served with the USAF 80-86. Medical services. woman vet.

The US already has told their Iraqi followers to beat up the enemy Iraqis.

I wonder who will win that election too...

Clinton still looks like the real president.

That is, Iraq as an entity was artificially created by the British from portions of the remains of the Ottoman Empire in the twenties. There is even solid evidence that they drew the lines in full knowledge that it could never be internally cohesive or governable without a powerful foreign ally - the classic colonial puppet-master. Natural divisions exist, and civil war is only occurring at the moment because Iraq is wholly occupied by a power which regards its division as "the worst posible outcome". In other cases, division has occurred by general consent, and without undue bloodshed.

What the heck is Myers talking about there is already civil war going on in Iraq.The USA and the Iraqi Government are mostly fighting the Sunni Muslims in the country.