British: U.S. did not plan properly for war

MegaRock · 12th June 2005, 17:36

It must burn pretty bad when your own closest ally doubts you.

A staff paper prepared for British Prime Minister Tony Blair eight months before the invasion of Iraq concluded that U.S. military officials were not planning adequately for a postwar occupation, The Washington Post reported.

"A postwar occupation of Iraq could lead to a protracted and costly nation-building exercise," authorities of the briefing memo wrote, according to the Post. "As already made clear, the U.S. military plans are virtually silent on this point. Washington could look to us to share a disproportionate share of the burden."

The eight-page memo was written in advance of a July 23, 2002, meeting at Blair's Downing Street offices, the Post said in Sunday editions.

It said the memo and other internal British government documents were originally obtained by Michael Smith of the London Sunday Times and that excerpts made available to Post were confirmed as authentic by British sources who sought anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

The Post said the introduction to the memo -- "Iraq: Conditions for Military Action" -- said U.S. "military planning for action against Iraq is proceeding apace," but that "little thought" has been given to, among other things, "the aftermath and how to shape it."

The July 21 memo was produced by Blair's staff in preparation for a meeting with his national security team two days later that has become controversial since last month's disclosure of official notes summarizing the session.

According to those minutes -- known as the Downing Street memo -- British officials who had just returned from Washington said the Bush administration believed war was inevitable and was determined to use intelligence about weapons of mass destruction to justify the ouster of Saddam Hussein.

Blair denied at a news conference with President Bush last week that intelligence was manipulated to justify the war

ElChevelle · 12th June 2005, 20:50

Wait a minute!!!

I thought the war ended when Bush landed on
the carrier and proclaimed "Mission accomplished"?

MegaRock · 13th June 2005, 03:17

It's not over till Laura and Barbara sing.

Omega X · 14th June 2005, 23:00

IT was obvious that political wars are not planned well at all.

ertmann|CPH · 16th June 2005, 09:59

With all these statements comming from downing street, you wonder why they wen't along with the yank's in the first place

12th June 2005, 17:36	#1
MegaRock Forum King Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Inside my water bong Posts: 6,775	British: U.S. did not plan properly for war It must burn pretty bad when your own closest ally doubts you. A staff paper prepared for British Prime Minister Tony Blair eight months before the invasion of Iraq concluded that U.S. military officials were not planning adequately for a postwar occupation, The Washington Post reported. "A postwar occupation of Iraq could lead to a protracted and costly nation-building exercise," authorities of the briefing memo wrote, according to the Post. "As already made clear, the U.S. military plans are virtually silent on this point. Washington could look to us to share a disproportionate share of the burden." The eight-page memo was written in advance of a July 23, 2002, meeting at Blair's Downing Street offices, the Post said in Sunday editions. It said the memo and other internal British government documents were originally obtained by Michael Smith of the London Sunday Times and that excerpts made available to Post were confirmed as authentic by British sources who sought anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. The Post said the introduction to the memo -- "Iraq: Conditions for Military Action" -- said U.S. "military planning for action against Iraq is proceeding apace," but that "little thought" has been given to, among other things, "the aftermath and how to shape it." The July 21 memo was produced by Blair's staff in preparation for a meeting with his national security team two days later that has become controversial since last month's disclosure of official notes summarizing the session. According to those minutes -- known as the Downing Street memo -- British officials who had just returned from Washington said the Bush administration believed war was inevitable and was determined to use intelligence about weapons of mass destruction to justify the ouster of Saddam Hussein. Blair denied at a news conference with President Bush last week that intelligence was manipulated to justify the war 1001. FM - Megarock Radio - St. Louis Since 1998! Tune In Now! Corporate Radio Sucks! No suits, all rock!

13th June 2005, 03:17	#3
MegaRock Forum King Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Inside my water bong Posts: 6,775	It's not over till Laura and Barbara sing. 1001. FM - Megarock Radio - St. Louis Since 1998! Tune In Now! Corporate Radio Sucks! No suits, all rock!

14th June 2005, 23:00	#4
Omega X Forum King Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: A Parallel Dimension Posts: 2,234	IT was obvious that political wars are not planned well at all. Webmaster @Order Of The Mists [OOM]

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12th June 2005, 20:50	#2
ElChevelle Moderator Alumni Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: the MANCANNON! Posts: 22,431	Wait a minute!!! I thought the war ended when Bush landed on the carrier and proclaimed "Mission accomplished"?

16th June 2005, 09:59	#5
ertmann\|CPH Forum Viking (Forum King) Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The North Posts: 3,541	With all these statements comming from downing street, you wonder why they wen't along with the yank's in the first place