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US send independent experts to Iraq to review postwar strategy
London, June 27: Washington has sent a five-member team of independent experts to Iraq to examine its strategy in the country, amid mounting criticism that the United States was not adequately prepared for postwar occupation, the `Financial Times` reported today.
London, June 27: Washington has sent a five-member team of independent experts to Iraq to examine its strategy in the country, amid mounting criticism that the United States was not adequately prepared for postwar occupation, the 'Financial Times' reported today.
It said US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld asked the team, which left Thursday from Washington, to assess a review now being carried out by the US civil administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, as US management in postwar Iraq becomes more and more contested.
The Bush administration's decision to use outside experts "suggests growing discomfort in Washington at the security problems facing its forces," the paper said.
"The mission comes as companies looking to invest in Iraq or win reconstruction contracts are being warned of an 'even' chance of the country descending into open revolt," it said.
The team includes John Hamre, president of the International Center for Strategic Studies who formerly held a high civilian post in the US Defense Department, the 'Financial Times' said.
A US soldier was killed in an ambush south of Baghad late Thursday, bringing to 57 the number of US troops who have died since President George W Bush declared the war in Iraq effectively over on May 1, according to a count from US military statements.
Nineteen of those were killed in attacks and the rest in accidents.
Bureau Report
The Bush administration's decision to use outside experts "suggests growing discomfort in Washington at the security problems facing its forces," the paper said.
"The mission comes as companies looking to invest in Iraq or win reconstruction contracts are being warned of an 'even' chance of the country descending into open revolt," it said.
The team includes John Hamre, president of the International Center for Strategic Studies who formerly held a high civilian post in the US Defense Department, the 'Financial Times' said.
A US soldier was killed in an ambush south of Baghad late Thursday, bringing to 57 the number of US troops who have died since President George W Bush declared the war in Iraq effectively over on May 1, according to a count from US military statements.
Nineteen of those were killed in attacks and the rest in accidents.
Bureau Report