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| A different way of tacking the Iraq problem |
paraclete |
07/22/07 |
with one small drawback.
Australian chief lashes US on Iraq
Tom Allard in Baghdad
July 23, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, has taken a swipe at the US military's strategy at the outset of the Iraq war, expressing disbelief that it has taken so long for commanders to realise the merits of engaging with the local population and winning their trust.
Visiting a counter-insurgency centre for excellence at Taji, just outside Baghdad, General Leahy was briefed by a US Army colonel, Manuel Diemer, on the new US strategy of schooling all unit commanders in the importance of developing a deep understanding of the culture of the communities in which they are conducting operations.
Colonel Diemer said the strategy meant combat units were now living among the population, doing more foot patrols, talking and interacting with the population well before they undertook any offensive operations.
This contrasts with the previous US practice of sending in forces with overwhelming firepower into trouble spots and then returning home to the relative comforts and security of a military base after blasting their way out of, or into, trouble.
The tactics have created huge resentment among ordinary Iraqis and helped fuel the insurgency. General Leahy expressed his strong support for the new strategy, but with an important, and thrice repeated, caveat. "I can't believe you guys weren't doing this two or three years ago," he said. Colonel Diemer concurred.
As he has travelled around the Middle East, General Leahy has emphasised to his troops how the nature of warfare has progressed from the Cold War principles of conventional warfare.
Rather than pitched battles between large militaries, soldiers were now working within and for communities.
"It's about protecting, supporting and persuading … and paving the way for reconstruction," he said.
Among soldiers anxious to be at the sharp end of a conflict such a message was not always warmly received, he said.
"Some of them think I'm a mongrel because I won't let them shoot the shit out of them [the insurgents]," he told Colonel Diemer.
In the two southern Iraqi provinces where Australians have been operating, they have achieved considerable success in developing links with tribal leaders and consulting widely before they undertake operations or reconstruction projects.
In Iraqi society, tribal affiliations are paramount, often trumping any loyalty to nation and even religious sect.
For Australian units patrolling in Iraq's south, a meeting with each village leader is essential.
Their efforts to reach out are usually met with traditional Iraqi hospitality, the slaughter of a goat and a long feast for the soldiers.
The only drawback, said the Australian commander in Iraq, Brigadier Gerard Fogarty, were the resulting bouts of diarrhoea many soldiers suffered.
Four Australians have been working with Colonel Diemer at the counter-insurgency centre since its inception eight months ago, a reflection that such policies have been an integral part of the Australian Army's doctrine for years, certainly well before the East Timor intervention in 1999. |
Clarification/Follow-up by PrinceHassim on 08/06/07 2:14 am:
There is little profit in sideswiping someone for something done five years ago. What is Australia going to do about Iraq today? Bush got it wrong, and others are paying the price, but if all we do is to sit outside the pub with no beer and moan about it, nothing will change.
Clarification/Follow-up by paraclete on 08/06/07 2:54 am:
Prince Ronnie, Australia is going to do, at least until November, just as Georgie is doing, "stay the course". Beyond that who knows, and honestly, who cares. This is not a big ticket politically, we can afford our involvment and so far we have minimal casualities and good reputation among Iraqi. This is becuase we haven't done anything criminal there. Our involvement is minimal, just being good neighbours of the US. We have played our part in the reconstruction, but Iraq is awash with money, so they don't need aid, What they need is some brains, and that won't happen until the fighting stops and those who have fled are safe to return.
By the way there is no Pub with no Beer, even if there were, we would drink wine, just like the publican and the day of the swaggie is long gone. No one trudges fifty flamming miles any more so move into the 21st Century
Clarification/Follow-up by PrinceHassim on 08/06/07 4:23 am:
The Pub with No Beer
Words by: Australian Traditional
Tune of: Beautiful Dreamer
It's lonesome away from your kindred and all
By the camp fire at night where the wild dingoes call,
But there's nothing so lonesome so morbid or drear
Than to stand in a bar of a pub with no beer.
Now the publican's anxious for the quota to come
There's a far away lock on the face of the bum
The maid's gone all cranky and the cook's acting queer
What a terrible place is a pub with no beer.
Then the stock-man rides up with his dry dusty throat
He breasts up to the bar, pulls a wat from his coat,
But the smile on his face quickly turns to a sneer,
When the bar man said sadly the pub's got no beer.
Ther's a dog on the 'randa-h for his master he waits
But the boss is inside drinking wine with his mates
He hurries for cover and cringes in fear
It's no place for a dog round a pub with no beer.
Old Billy the blacksmith first time in his life
Has gone home cold sober to his darling wife,
He walks in the kitchen, she says you're early me dear,
But he breaks down and tells her the pub's got no beer Clarification/Follow-up by paraclete on 08/06/07 5:19 am:
I prefer the Slim Dusty version
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