IRAQ: THE TOP U.S. OFFICIALS IN IRAQ ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TROOPS ARE OVERSTRETCHED IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY

Record ID: 647096

  • Title: IRAQ: THE TOP U.S. OFFICIALS IN IRAQ ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TROOPS ARE OVERSTRETCHED IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY
  • Date: 8th May 2003
  • Summary: (U6) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (MAY 8, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. LV GENERAL DAVID MCKIERNAN, THE HEAD OF U.S. LAND FORCES IN IRAQ, AND JAY GARNER, HEAD OF THE U.S.-LED CIVIL ADMINISTRATION, AT PODIUM.. 0.07 2. MCU (English) MCKIERNAN SAYING "Restoring order and security in the streets and neighbourhoods across Iraq will come but it will not come overnight. And it will require the sustained efforts of the coalition together with the people of Iraq. There is a lot of work still to be done to create the right environment for safety and security within Iraq." 0.30 3. SV MEDIA 0.34 4. MCU (English) MCKIERNAN SAYING "Imagine spreading one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers in the state of California and then ask yourself could you secure all of California all of the time with one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers. The answer is no. So we are focused on certain areas and certain transportation networks that we need to make sure are open. But I will go back to something I said during my remarks is that ultimately the answer rests with Iraqis back in control of the security of their country." 1.08 5. SV MEDIA 1.11 6. MCU (English) JAY GARNER, HEAD OF THE U.S.-LED CIVIL ADMINISTRATION SAYING "I agree with you. We are absolutely appalled with the south. The south is the victim of three wars, a rebellion and absolutely tortuous treatment by Saddam Hussein for thirty years. It is in terrible shape. And what you are going to see is that we'll put the bulk of our effort in the south. Because everything in the south is broken." 1.35 7. CU SOLDIER MAKING NOTES (2 SHOTS) 1.41 8. MCU (English) GARNER SAYING "I guess the bottom line of all of this, this is a hard job. Its tough and everyday is a challenge. But the glass is half full and everyday gets a little bit better than the last day." 1.51 9. LV END OF PRESS CONFERENCE 1.57 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 23rd May 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVA5F92L46BJJFQIEMJN3VHQTQ2I
  • Story Text: The top U.S. officials in Iraq have acknowledged that
    troops were overstretched in parts of the country and that
    security remains a top priority as looters and revenge killers
    take advantage of the postwar power vacuum.



    The U.S. military and civilian administration in Iraq
    said on Thursday (May 8, 2003) the current total of fewer than
    150,000 troops in the country would not rise significantly and
    they needed Iraqis to take on policing duties.

    With Iraqis generally angry at lawlessness in their
    cities, where looters still strip buildings bare and illegal
    guns are sold at market stalls, many political analysts have
    criticised the United States for inadequate postwar planning.

    General David McKiernan, the head of U.S. land forces in
    Iraq said, "Restoring order and security in the streets and
    neighbourhoods across Iraq will come, but it will not come
    overnight. And it will require the sustained efforts of the
    coalition together with the people of Iraq. There is a lot of
    work still to be done to create the right environment for
    safety and security within Iraq."
    Saying it was impossible to control a nation as large as
    California with so few troops, he told a news conference:
    "Imagine spreading 150,000 soldiers in the state of California
    and then ask yourself could you secure all of California all
    of the time with 150,000 soldiers. The answer is no. So we are
    focused on certain areas and certain transportation networks
    that we need to make sure are open. But I will go back to
    something I said during my remarks is that ultimately the
    answer rests with Iraqis back in control of the security of
    their country."
    McKiernan said that although revenge killings against
    former members of Saddam Hussein's political apparatus were
    decreasing, they were likely to persist for several days. He
    said looting and other crimes continued.

    Jay Garner, the head of the U.S.-led civilian
    administration, said about 10,000 Iraqi police had returned to
    work and begun joint patrols with U.S. troops.

    The U.S. officials said the power vacuum left when
    Saddam's government fell last month was gradually being filled
    as interim local authorities emerge, supported by U.S. troops.

    Garner said electricity and water supplies were returning
    while schools had resumed classes but he acknowledged there
    was much to be done to satisfy the demands of Iraqis.

    Garner said that southern Iraq posed the greatest
    challenges saying, "The south is the victim of three wars, a
    rebellion and absolutely tortuous treatment by Saddam Hussein
    for thirty years. It is in terrible shape. And what you are
    going to see is that we'll put the bulk of our effort in the
    south. Because everything in the south is broken."
    "This is a hard job. It's tough. It's a challenge," Garner
    said. "Every day the glass is half full but every day it gets
    a little better."

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