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Bush plans to replace top army commander in Iraq
Washington, May 25: With the issue of prisoners` abuse by US soldiers receiving worldwide attention, President George W Bush plans to replace top army commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez, with a four-star General.
Washington, May 25: With the issue of prisoners' abuse by US soldiers receiving worldwide attention, President George W Bush plans to replace top army commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez, with a four-star General.
The leading contender for the post currently is General George W Casey, the army's second in command. Also under consideration for the post is Lt Gen Bantz J Craddock, the senior military assistant to defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, according to 'The Washington Post'.
But several officials said yesterday that Rumsfeld seemed to pull back from formally proposing Gen Craddock.
Although Gen Sanchez has denied that he attended any of the abusive interrogations at Abu Ghraib prison and has even denied he was aware of them until the red cross reported the abuses and he promptly ordered an investigation, his career may suffer. He had been slated to be elevated to General in command of southern command, with responsibility for South America, most of Central America and the Caribbean.
Army promotions are subject to senate confirmation and if he is proposed for the southern command, his role, if any, during the prison abuses in baghdad are thought likely to figure once again in the confirmation debate and it could be embarrassing to the administration which wants the public to forget about them.
The abuses have already resulted in the suspension of Brig Gen Janis L Karpinski, who headed the prison staff in Iraq at Abu Ghraib.
Bureau Report
But several officials said yesterday that Rumsfeld seemed to pull back from formally proposing Gen Craddock.
Although Gen Sanchez has denied that he attended any of the abusive interrogations at Abu Ghraib prison and has even denied he was aware of them until the red cross reported the abuses and he promptly ordered an investigation, his career may suffer. He had been slated to be elevated to General in command of southern command, with responsibility for South America, most of Central America and the Caribbean.
Army promotions are subject to senate confirmation and if he is proposed for the southern command, his role, if any, during the prison abuses in baghdad are thought likely to figure once again in the confirmation debate and it could be embarrassing to the administration which wants the public to forget about them.
The abuses have already resulted in the suspension of Brig Gen Janis L Karpinski, who headed the prison staff in Iraq at Abu Ghraib.
Bureau Report