Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SAOPAULO30
2007-01-12 12:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Sao Paulo
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ: PRESIDENT BUSH'S IRAQ SECURITY PLAN;

Tags:  KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD BR 
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RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 7706
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USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD BR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRAQ: PRESIDENT BUSH'S IRAQ SECURITY PLAN;
SAO PAULO

"Bush's Plan"

The lead editorial in liberal, largest national circulation daily
Folha de S. Paulo (1/12) asserted: "By announcing the sending of
additional 20,000 troops to Iraq, President George W. Bush ignored
the wishes of even many of his allies. The White House's new
strategy contradicts the US Council of former Military Commanders in
Iraq.... Bush's decision also opposes the military and political
experience acquired over the past four years in Iraq. Similar
attempts failed.... Of course, there was some progress in the
presidential course towards a less obscure view of reality. Bush
admitted for the first time the possibility of the US leaving Iraq
defeated and recognized having committed strategic mistakes.
Everything indicates that the new plan is another such mistake....
Of course, the new plan could theoretically help to pacify
Baghdad.... The problem with the new strategy is that it depends on
many 'ifs.' Even 35,000 troops are few to police a disturbed 6
million-inhabitant city.... Part of the Shiite militias fostering
the civil war has infiltrated the Iraqi army. The idea of bringing
Kurd troops from the northern region is also troublesome. The best
chance the Kurds have to form an independent national state depends
on the fragmentation of Iraq. The proposal of making social
investments to follow military actions is a good one, but it seems
too late for that.... The truth is that the war in Iraq was a
complete disaster. President Bush speaks about victory and proposes
an escalation of a conflict that, at the current moment, can hardly
tolerate a military solution. And worse, he does that by
contradicting everything and everyone."
McMullen