Democracy Now - Iraq Occupation Costs Soaring - Bush Policy A Failure

As the Pentagon outlines Washington’s failed Iraq plans, the White House plans to ask Congress for $60-$70 billion more for Iraq and is seeking a UN approval to force other nations to contribute troops and funds.

According to the Washington Post, the U.S. resolution would be unprecedented in UN history. It would seek the creation of a UN-mandated multinational force to operate in a country where the UN does not have political control.

A secret internal report by the Joint Chiefs of Staff criticizes the Bush administration for failing to adequately plan for the reconstruction and policing of Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein and for failing to predict a guerilla war would emerge.

The report titled “Operation Iraqi Freedom Strategic Lessons Learned" was obtained by the Washington Times.

The report also shows that President Bush approved the war plans last August, the month before the U.S. approached the UN Security Council for a war mandate. And the Washington Times reports that the U.S. kept in close contact with Israel over the war plans. A meeting to discuss the invasion was held in mid-February with “key Israeli leaders” according to the report.

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