BBC: Iraq bases spur questions over US plans

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4834032.stm

The Pentagon has requested hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency funds for military construction in Iraq, fanning the debate about US long-term intentions there.

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This has prompted some to wonder whether the US has plans to maintain a permanent military presence - something the government has repeatedly denied.

But those concerned include the US House Appropriations Committee, which has demanded a "master plan" for base construction from the Pentagon before the money can be spent.

In a 13 March report accompanying the emergency spending legislation, it said the money was "of a magnitude normally associated with permanent bases".




The US is spending millions of dollars upgrading a select few air bases


... gee, ya think? Congress is just figuring this out now?



Balad base: $228.7m (2005); requested $17.8m (2006)

Al-Asad base: 2005 spending unknown; requested $46.3m (2006)

Tallil base: $10.8m (2005); requested $110.3m (2006)

I can not believe congress is just now getting a clue. Oh, wait! It could be because of the 2006 elections. silly me.

Mid East policy.

The bases are huge, permanent and there are at least five that will rival the biggest ones in Europe (or Vietnam for that matter).

The boys aren't coming home, the 'War-Chimperor' has secretly decreed a permanent troop presence and thats how it is going to be.

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I still am more than curious why we have never seen any reports on the bunkers under Baghdad

I suspect the USA already has their OWN weapons of mass destruction down there, ready to unleash them on Russia and China whenever they feel like it . .

Maybe Saddam had some WMDs down there - and the USA decided to keep them for themselves . . .

That would not surprise me

without congressional approval.. and certainly not public approval.

What the hell ever happened to oversight ???
Oh yeah.. Rubberstamp Republicans™ in the House...

bah ...how useless they are

Right you are. This has all been planned out ( PNAC, and others )from well before bush was selected as prez in 2000. What is disturbing to the max: very few citizens know about this plan, thanks to a complacent and go-along to get-along media. Something like this should be front page, above the fold on a daily basis, and should also be topic A on every television political talk show. Hear me, Mr. Matthews? Mr. Carlson? Mr. Scarborough? Rita? I don't, of course, include Faux "News", as we know where their sympathies lie. Gutless enablers.
We need permanent bases to invade Iran. Presto: done.