[patconnole]

U.S. plans to keep Iraq bases

WASHINGTON — The United States is planning a long-term military relationship with the emerging government of Iraq, one that would grant the Pentagon access to military bases and project U.S. influence into the heart of the unsettled region, senior Bush administration officials say...........


....There will be some kind of a long-term defense relationship with a new Iraq, similar to Afghanistan," said one senior administration official. "The scope of that has yet to be defined — whether it will be full-up operational bases, smaller forward operating bases or just plain access.".........


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/134679230_bases200.html


pat's note: I think this was part of the plan for a LONG time, and easily a driving factor.

 

[LordOpie]

umm, having a strong, stable and secure military presence was the primary reason for liberating Iraq. Have you ever read PNAC's mission statement from 1997?

Hell, it still surprises me when people say it's about oil.

Forgive me, but this should not be news to anyone at this point.

 

[patconnole]

Originally posted by LordOpie
umm, having a strong, stable and secure military presence was the primary reason for liberating Iraq. Have you ever read PNAC's mission statement from 1997?

Hell, it still surprises me when people say it's about oil.

Forgive me, but this should not be news to anyone at this point.

I think we're in agreement, cept oil plays a huge role.

 

[BurlyShirley]

Its common practice to put military bases in a country with a similar situation to Iraq.

This isnt news.

 

[LordOpie]

Originally posted by BurlySurly
Its common practice to put military bases in a country with a similar situation to Iraq.

This isnt news.

True, but I think many people think that is our/USA's primary motivation/agenda.

 

[patconnole]

Originally posted by BurlySurly
Its common practice to put military bases in a country with a similar situation to Iraq.

This isnt news.

Not new, but it's part of our booty.

 

[Joe Pozer]

Rumsfeld's response to this story:


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20030421/ts_nm/iraq_usa_bases_dc&e=4&ncid=564



Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Monday the United States has not considered seeking permanent military bases in postwar Iraq and said the likelihood of such an arrangement was low.


I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't have any intentions of setting up bases in Iraq since we already have forces in Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Or maybe he is just trying to cover up the leak that came from the White House.