John Bolton’s views on Iraq reconstruction

[nerdgirl 0]

From an 19 October 2007 interview in Financial Times:

“He concedes that their views [the neoconservatives & his] coincided on the need to remove Saddam Hussein – Bolton felt it was in America’s interest to eliminate a potential threat. But he parted ways with the neoconservatives on the objectives of the subsequent occupation. ‘I am all in favour of democracy in Iraq,’ he says. ‘I don’t know what else I would say. But our national interest today is to stop any part of Iraq from becoming a base for terrorism and if that is accomplished with a less than Jeffersonian type of democracy, then that’s OK with me.’

“Mistakes were made, he concedes – only not the ones most people would identify. ‘In terms of Iraq’s governance I would have put the Iraqis in charge as soon as possible,’ he says. ‘I’ll exaggerate for effect, but what we should have done is said to the Iraqis: “You’re on your own. Here’s a copy of the Federalist papers. Good luck.”’ [emphasis nerdgirl]

[speculation & tongue firmly planted in cheek]

Fully & equally exaggerated for Speakers Corner, apparently Bolton’s plan would have looked like:
1. AF bombs & Army invades,
2. Something related to those alleged WMDs ....
3. Capture Saddam Hussayn,
4. Distribute 3 million translated copies of Federalist papers … (must specify translated),
5. Depart for Kuwait/Qatar/etc/

[/speculation & removing tongue from cheek]

From Bolton’s comments, it would also seem to imply that he is in favor of pulling US troops out, which may be the only foreign policy point on which he, Senator Dennis Kucinich, and Gov. Bill Richardson agree.

Bolton's scheduled to speak about his new book, Surrender Is Not an Option, later tonight on C-Span radio's "Q&A" Program (podcasts available) - I'm genuinely looking forward to listening.

VR/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[wmw999 2,589]

I kind of like Anbar province's most recent reported path.
"OK, we are working on the terrorist problem. Now we want money to rebuild our cities, help to expand our police by 1/3, and foreign private investment in our oil reserves."

Sounds like a winner to me, frankly. They might not be taking the path we'd most like to self-determination, but they are taking an active path, and seem to have a plan.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

I kind of like Anbar province's most recent reported path.
".......Now we want money ........"

not "now we have to (do a bunch of things)"


who do they "want money" from?

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants