800 missiles to hit Iraq in first 48 hours
26 January 2003, 09:29 PM
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800 missiles to hit Iraq in first 48 hours
By Andrew West and agencies
January 26 2003
The Sun-Herald
The US intends to shatter Iraq "physically, emotionally and psychologically" by raining down on its people as many as 800 cruise missiles in two days.
The Pentagon battle plan aims not only to crush Iraqi troops, but also wipe out power and water supplies in the capital, Baghdad.
It is based on a strategy known as "Shock and Awe", conceived at the National Defense University in Washington, in which between 300 and 400 cruise missiles would fall on Iraq each day for two consecutive days. It would be more than twice the number of missiles launched during the entire 40 days of the 1991 GulfWar.
"There will not be a safe place in Baghdad," a Pentagon official told America's CBS News after a briefing on the plan. "The sheer size of this has never been seen before, never been contemplated before."
The plan has emerged just as American diplomats at the United Nations hinted that the US Administration might be willing to give UN weapons inspectors another month to complete their task.
Chief inspector Hans Blix is due to report back to the UN on Tuesday.
President George Bush has been displaying increasing impatience with the pace of inspections and is eager to start the bombing. But according to UN sources he has resigned himself to the fact that the US lacks enough votes on the Security Council to wage a military campaign.
Mr Bush's belligerence yesterday found a match in comments by Uday Hussein. In a rare public appearance, the son of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein said the consequences of American attack on his country would make the September 11, 2001, terrorist strike look like a picnic.
He warned: "If they come, September 11, which they are crying over and see as a big thing, will be a real picnic for them, God willing.
"They will be hurt and pay a price they will never imagine. They can get much more from Iraq without resorting to the logic of force and war."
According to the architect of "Shock and Awe", military strategist Harlan Ullman, the plan would rely on an extensive array of precision-guided weapons.
"We want them to quit, not to fight," Ullman said, "so that you have this simultaneous effect - rather like the nuclear weapons at Hiroshima - not taking days or weeks but minutes."
The main objective was not just to disable Iraq's fighting capacity but to leave the population dispirited and unwilling to support Saddam's regime.
"You're sitting in Baghdad and, all of a sudden, you're the general and 30 of your division headquarters have been wiped out," Mr Ullman said. "You also take the city down. By that I mean you get rid of their power and water. In two, three, four, five days they are physically, emotionally and psychologically exhausted."
The American war plans will cause even greater angst in Europe, where the French and Russian governments, reflecting wider international fears, are threatening to veto any US rush to military action.
French President Jacques Chirac and Russia's Vladimir Putin have agreed "their positions [on a US strike] are very close", a French spokeswoman said. Both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council, and either could veto any UN approval of an American attack.
Mr Putin has also co-opted German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder into supporting a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Iraq. Germany is now the major power in Europe and the Chancellor's reluctance, if not outright refusal, to endorse a unilateral US strike would be a major setback to the Bush Administration.
The dossier by Dr Blix, and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei, is expected to report that Iraqi
co-operation with inspectors has been "satisfactory" and they could find no "smoking gun", no evidence that could be used a pretext for war.
But the pair will also say Iraq could offer even greater co-operation in the search for nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, or materials that could be used in their construction, within its borders.
But America's increasingly aggressive stance is isolating opinion around the world. Late on Friday, his Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld drove a wedge further into US-European relations when he dismissed Germany and France as representing "old Europe".
He comments drew a sharp rebuke from the foreign ministers of both countries.
If the US wants UN approval for any strike it will have to wring votes out of the 15 Security Council members. At the moment, it can count only on the solid support of Britain, the likely support of Spain and Bulgaria, and the possible support of Guinea and Cameroon.
China, France, Russia, Germany and Syria were most opposed and likely to influence Angola, Chile, Mexico and Pakistan.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...911596206.html
By Andrew West and agencies
January 26 2003
The Sun-Herald
The US intends to shatter Iraq "physically, emotionally and psychologically" by raining down on its people as many as 800 cruise missiles in two days.
The Pentagon battle plan aims not only to crush Iraqi troops, but also wipe out power and water supplies in the capital, Baghdad.
It is based on a strategy known as "Shock and Awe", conceived at the National Defense University in Washington, in which between 300 and 400 cruise missiles would fall on Iraq each day for two consecutive days. It would be more than twice the number of missiles launched during the entire 40 days of the 1991 GulfWar.
"There will not be a safe place in Baghdad," a Pentagon official told America's CBS News after a briefing on the plan. "The sheer size of this has never been seen before, never been contemplated before."
The plan has emerged just as American diplomats at the United Nations hinted that the US Administration might be willing to give UN weapons inspectors another month to complete their task.
Chief inspector Hans Blix is due to report back to the UN on Tuesday.
President George Bush has been displaying increasing impatience with the pace of inspections and is eager to start the bombing. But according to UN sources he has resigned himself to the fact that the US lacks enough votes on the Security Council to wage a military campaign.
Mr Bush's belligerence yesterday found a match in comments by Uday Hussein. In a rare public appearance, the son of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein said the consequences of American attack on his country would make the September 11, 2001, terrorist strike look like a picnic.
He warned: "If they come, September 11, which they are crying over and see as a big thing, will be a real picnic for them, God willing.
"They will be hurt and pay a price they will never imagine. They can get much more from Iraq without resorting to the logic of force and war."
According to the architect of "Shock and Awe", military strategist Harlan Ullman, the plan would rely on an extensive array of precision-guided weapons.
"We want them to quit, not to fight," Ullman said, "so that you have this simultaneous effect - rather like the nuclear weapons at Hiroshima - not taking days or weeks but minutes."
The main objective was not just to disable Iraq's fighting capacity but to leave the population dispirited and unwilling to support Saddam's regime.
"You're sitting in Baghdad and, all of a sudden, you're the general and 30 of your division headquarters have been wiped out," Mr Ullman said. "You also take the city down. By that I mean you get rid of their power and water. In two, three, four, five days they are physically, emotionally and psychologically exhausted."
The American war plans will cause even greater angst in Europe, where the French and Russian governments, reflecting wider international fears, are threatening to veto any US rush to military action.
French President Jacques Chirac and Russia's Vladimir Putin have agreed "their positions [on a US strike] are very close", a French spokeswoman said. Both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council, and either could veto any UN approval of an American attack.
Mr Putin has also co-opted German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder into supporting a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Iraq. Germany is now the major power in Europe and the Chancellor's reluctance, if not outright refusal, to endorse a unilateral US strike would be a major setback to the Bush Administration.
The dossier by Dr Blix, and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei, is expected to report that Iraqi
co-operation with inspectors has been "satisfactory" and they could find no "smoking gun", no evidence that could be used a pretext for war.
But the pair will also say Iraq could offer even greater co-operation in the search for nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, or materials that could be used in their construction, within its borders.
But America's increasingly aggressive stance is isolating opinion around the world. Late on Friday, his Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld drove a wedge further into US-European relations when he dismissed Germany and France as representing "old Europe".
He comments drew a sharp rebuke from the foreign ministers of both countries.
If the US wants UN approval for any strike it will have to wring votes out of the 15 Security Council members. At the moment, it can count only on the solid support of Britain, the likely support of Spain and Bulgaria, and the possible support of Guinea and Cameroon.
China, France, Russia, Germany and Syria were most opposed and likely to influence Angola, Chile, Mexico and Pakistan.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...911596206.html
26 January 2003, 09:37 PM
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true steve it was never about weapons u know iraqs weapons are like a childs play to america, just one americanwarship can wipe out majority of the countries defenses and they kidd us on that iraq can attack the usa, so stupid , they think if they attack saddam he willstop,who knows he might have even given the ways how to make nuclear weapons to other countries
its all about oil and innocents will suffer and more bitterness against america, so they can blame themselves for kids who become terrorists, same happened in palestine, the children of the holocaust become israeli ***** and butchered palestinians and built settlements on their lands and not their reaping the fruits that they sowed
its all about oil and innocents will suffer and more bitterness against america, so they can blame themselves for kids who become terrorists, same happened in palestine, the children of the holocaust become israeli ***** and butchered palestinians and built settlements on their lands and not their reaping the fruits that they sowed
26 January 2003, 09:55 PM
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I was wondering what the effects will be on UK from an attack to Iraq, because UK is supposed to be USA's best friend, right? Is time for me to pack my staff, give the middle finger to Kingston University and return to Greece?
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26 January 2003, 10:00 PM
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And While this is all going on the iraq extremists throughout the world are going to sit on there asses and do nothing ,I DONT THINK SO .
Bush and feckin Blair out to be sittin on one of the bombs because there both nutters
26 January 2003, 10:28 PM
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did you read in the paper about some idiot woman in the uk who flew staright over to iraq when she heard about the possibility of war to use herself as a human sheild. ARE THESe PEOPLE MAD do they really think this is going to stop it, she will probably be one of the 1st to die.
i heard bush and saddam were talking on the telephone and saddam said to bush what the hell is this star trek program about, ive seen every episode, there blacks,whites, chinesse,theres even a clingon but there is no muslims and bush replied thats because its set in the future you bast**d
i heard bush and saddam were talking on the telephone and saddam said to bush what the hell is this star trek program about, ive seen every episode, there blacks,whites, chinesse,theres even a clingon but there is no muslims and bush replied thats because its set in the future you bast**d
26 January 2003, 11:11 PM
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We all know that they will bomb Iraq, whether the others want it or not.
I wonder what the Irakis or the "terrorists" or whatever we call them are going to do in reply. Blow up NYC or Washington or London? Gas / bactereological attack in the London "tube"? Empire state building? Any guesses?
I wonder what the Irakis or the "terrorists" or whatever we call them are going to do in reply. Blow up NYC or Washington or London? Gas / bactereological attack in the London "tube"? Empire state building? Any guesses?
26 January 2003, 11:20 PM
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Harlan Ullman is a hawk anyway (IMHO).
Just about ever bit of work I've seen of his is factually bang on but his solutions tend to be a bit naive bordering on war mongering.
Have a read of some of his books when you get a chance, it is enlightening/frightening to think that this guy has the ear of the US Defence top brass.
Oh, and it is such a great plan. You want to make everybody in the country suffer for a few days without light, power, water, so that they rise up agaisnt the leaders ? So, over ten years lacking basic medicines and foodstuffs etc. wasn't enough to get them to rise up ?
And following a structure hit plan is political suicide if you then want to install a "friendly" leadership afterwards. Taking out all power and water plants is going to cost the US loads to put right and that is something US voters won't be happy about.
Of course, all IMHO.
Cheers
Ian
Just about ever bit of work I've seen of his is factually bang on but his solutions tend to be a bit naive bordering on war mongering.
Have a read of some of his books when you get a chance, it is enlightening/frightening to think that this guy has the ear of the US Defence top brass.
Oh, and it is such a great plan. You want to make everybody in the country suffer for a few days without light, power, water, so that they rise up agaisnt the leaders ? So, over ten years lacking basic medicines and foodstuffs etc. wasn't enough to get them to rise up ?
And following a structure hit plan is political suicide if you then want to install a "friendly" leadership afterwards. Taking out all power and water plants is going to cost the US loads to put right and that is something US voters won't be happy about.
Of course, all IMHO.
Cheers
Ian
26 January 2003, 11:23 PM
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It is based on a strategy known as "Shock and Awe",
Yep... and that will be the terrorists plan. It will be a big open playing field for them.
America has a much bigger plan ahead.
Yep... and that will be the terrorists plan. It will be a big open playing field for them.
America has a much bigger plan ahead.
27 January 2003, 12:11 AM
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Didnt read everything coz Im pissed.
All I can say is be prepared for the back lash..........
You can corner a wounded dog for a while,prod it with a stick,then it goes off its head,its going to happen we all know it,but we just dont think it will happen.
But it will.
All I can say is be prepared for the back lash..........
You can corner a wounded dog for a while,prod it with a stick,then it goes off its head,its going to happen we all know it,but we just dont think it will happen.
But it will.
27 January 2003, 12:25 AM
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There is more than one dog being prodded by the stick.
You dont get it,but you will.
Its already started,fanatics being arrested a very small part of a massive movement.
You dont get it,but you will.
Its already started,fanatics being arrested a very small part of a massive movement.
27 January 2003, 01:54 AM
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Mr Powell asserted that America would attack Iraq - alone or in a coalition - to disarm the regime.
"We will not shrink from war if that is the only way to rid Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction. We continue to reserve our sovereign right to take military action against Iraq alone or in a coalition of the willing," he said.
"We will not shrink from war if that is the only way to rid Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction. We continue to reserve our sovereign right to take military action against Iraq alone or in a coalition of the willing," he said.
27 January 2003, 08:41 AM
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"We continue to reserve our sovereign right to take military action against Iraq alone or in a coalition of the willing"
...or...
"We continue to reserve the right to invade another country that is doing someting we don't like."
...or...
"We continue to reserve the right to invade another country that is doing someting we don't like."
27 January 2003, 08:48 AM
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Watch what happens when US/UK kids etc start been killed in their hundreds or thousands....... Will we still see it as a good idea.
We go to war ...so will they so lets not complain about about their fighting methods. They have as much right to defend themselves as us.
We go to war ...so will they so lets not complain about about their fighting methods. They have as much right to defend themselves as us.
do we all mate
27 January 2003, 10:04 AM
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the oil fields would burn for a year if he blows them up - so i think its good that they go and try to stop it... same as if they had a nuclear power station... go there first so they cant cause a meltdown.
peace talk is easy
war talk is easy
figuring out what is best is hard - and for that u need all the facts... so until then we are all just guessing..
personally i am looking forward to hearing the evidence that the US and UK have...
peace talk is easy
war talk is easy
figuring out what is best is hard - and for that u need all the facts... so until then we are all just guessing..
personally i am looking forward to hearing the evidence that the US and UK have...