We'll Leave Iraq When They Can Afford It
Looking into the future in Iraq is tricky business as the Bush Administration has discovered. Who could foresee that a determined insurgency would arise following our invasion ? O.K., besides the State Department and the Pentagon. And who could know that successful elections would not be immediately followed by a new government ?
But, the Iraqis have our solemn pledge that we will eventually leave and that we seek no permanent bases in their country, although the new embassy in Baghdad and four gigantic airbases under construction don't exactly look like tent cities. Let's assume we're as good as our word (chuckle) and that the day will come when we will pull our troops out. It now looks like we will also had the Iraqis a largish tab for the service.
The Japanese have been waiting more or less patiently for 60 years to have U.S. troops removed from their country and, at last, it looks like it will begin to happen. Things are running a little behind schedule, however, due to disputes over who pays the freight. The U.S. wants Japan to pay 75% of the cost of the relocation according to The Guardian. Considering that the cost of moving the first 8000 Marines to Guam is ten billion dollars and that there are 150,000 troops total to be moved, one can imagine that the negotiations are a bit strained.
Apparently we want the Japanese to pay the cost of building the new facilities the Marines will require on Guam. Like you want your cousin Eddie, who has overstayed his welcome, to move out and he wants you to build him a house. You can see the discussions might slow down.
The good news, of course, is that the Iraqis have sixty years to save up, now that they are on notice that the piper will, one day, have to be paid. Consider it part of the price of freedom and
Stay Naked
jd
But, the Iraqis have our solemn pledge that we will eventually leave and that we seek no permanent bases in their country, although the new embassy in Baghdad and four gigantic airbases under construction don't exactly look like tent cities. Let's assume we're as good as our word (chuckle) and that the day will come when we will pull our troops out. It now looks like we will also had the Iraqis a largish tab for the service.
The Japanese have been waiting more or less patiently for 60 years to have U.S. troops removed from their country and, at last, it looks like it will begin to happen. Things are running a little behind schedule, however, due to disputes over who pays the freight. The U.S. wants Japan to pay 75% of the cost of the relocation according to The Guardian. Considering that the cost of moving the first 8000 Marines to Guam is ten billion dollars and that there are 150,000 troops total to be moved, one can imagine that the negotiations are a bit strained.
Apparently we want the Japanese to pay the cost of building the new facilities the Marines will require on Guam. Like you want your cousin Eddie, who has overstayed his welcome, to move out and he wants you to build him a house. You can see the discussions might slow down.
The good news, of course, is that the Iraqis have sixty years to save up, now that they are on notice that the piper will, one day, have to be paid. Consider it part of the price of freedom and
Stay Naked
jd
posted by Unknown at 8:38 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home