The Vietnam Strategy Failed Once and in Iraq it will Fail Again.
As predicted Bush has announced his troop surge strategy and there has been not a word from the Prime Minister or the Chancellor criticising this folly. Instead we are told that there is a "symmetry" between the US and British military strategies.
I have to say that the only symmetry I see is the dreadful tragedy of virtually every Prime Minister's Question Time being prefaced by the tributes to recent British casualties in Iraq and the sending of our heartfelt condolences to their families, with a similar tragic body count being undertaken in towns and cities across the US.
To counter any obvious assessments that an increase in US troops could lead to more British troops being sent to Iraq, the Government spin doctors have used this period to suggest that it is hoped that there will be some British troop withdrawals by the Summer.
The reality is more likely to be that the increase in US military activity will result in a corresponding increase in the pressure and demands placed upon British forces, with subsequent demands for an increase in the deployment of British troops.
Let me make it clear. Any increase in the use of British military forces must be authorised by Parliament and I am calling upon the leadership of the Labour party to give that commitment now.
In addition, if Blair and Brown sanction the increased use of British forces in Iraq, I will seek to obtain sufficient nominations from MPs to trigger an immediate leadership challenge.
We cannot stand by and allow Blair and Brown to put further lives at risk in our name without the membership of our party being given the opportunity to have its say.
My fear now is that the failure of Bush, Blair and Brown to make a serious attempt to engage in a diplomatic and peaceful resolution of the crisis in Iraq means that even when US and British troops are withdrawn the bloodbath will continue.
Why can't Bush, Blair and Brown just learn from history?
The Vietnam strategy of pouring in more and more troops failed once and will fail again.
I have to say that the only symmetry I see is the dreadful tragedy of virtually every Prime Minister's Question Time being prefaced by the tributes to recent British casualties in Iraq and the sending of our heartfelt condolences to their families, with a similar tragic body count being undertaken in towns and cities across the US.
To counter any obvious assessments that an increase in US troops could lead to more British troops being sent to Iraq, the Government spin doctors have used this period to suggest that it is hoped that there will be some British troop withdrawals by the Summer.
The reality is more likely to be that the increase in US military activity will result in a corresponding increase in the pressure and demands placed upon British forces, with subsequent demands for an increase in the deployment of British troops.
Let me make it clear. Any increase in the use of British military forces must be authorised by Parliament and I am calling upon the leadership of the Labour party to give that commitment now.
In addition, if Blair and Brown sanction the increased use of British forces in Iraq, I will seek to obtain sufficient nominations from MPs to trigger an immediate leadership challenge.
We cannot stand by and allow Blair and Brown to put further lives at risk in our name without the membership of our party being given the opportunity to have its say.
My fear now is that the failure of Bush, Blair and Brown to make a serious attempt to engage in a diplomatic and peaceful resolution of the crisis in Iraq means that even when US and British troops are withdrawn the bloodbath will continue.
Why can't Bush, Blair and Brown just learn from history?
The Vietnam strategy of pouring in more and more troops failed once and will fail again.
posted by John at 3:48 PM
5 Comments:
Hear hear John,
After last night's Bush speech, the US public give their opinion on the New York Times.
http://news.blogs.nytimes.com/?p=125
Roughly I'd say 99% are against his proposal and a good few think he should be impeached (or sectioned).
Bush talks of placing companies across the globe, increasing the US armed forces overall and seems to ignore all common sense from congress and his military advisors.
I'd urge everyone to read the transcript of the Bush speech - or check out the highlights/lowlights on :-
http://www.openlabour.blogspot.com/
Definitely seconded! Hopefully everyone who agrees will be at the CND/Stop the War Demo on Saturday 24th Feb ... http://www.cnduk.org/pages/24feb.pdf
Why can't Bush, Blair and Brown just learn from history?
When will you learn from history.
Neville Chamberlain, 1938? Appeasement doesn't work.
Spot on,John. Did anyone else see Charlie Falconer being torn to shreds on Question Time last night over this issue? I thought he was going to faint...the truth is that the vast majority of the Great British Public know they were lied to over this war , they know that more troops in Iraq will only lead to more violence,and that Bush and Blair are in supreme isolation on this issue.It's time to work with the UN and the international community and try for a peaceful solution to end this abysmal war.When, oh when, are they going to listen?
I believe the real reason Bush is sending these troops into Iraq is in order to facilitate the possible military action against Iran that is innevitable given the rhetoric currently coming from America.
This is why he ignored the Iraq study group, he's knee deep in planning for the next war.
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