Bush replaces top general in Middle East who opposed troop surge
The Raw Story – January 4, 2007
In what appears to be a military shakeup surrounding Iraq, President Bush has replaced both the top US general in the Middle East and the top General in Iraq, ABC NEWS is reporting on air.
Admiral William J. Fallon will replace Gen. John Abizaid, US commander in the Middle East, who announced his retirement in December, and was expected to leave the post in March. Abizaid was a critic of Bush's efforts to add more troops to Iraq -- the circumstances of his early departure are unclear.
"The president wants a clean sweep," an official told ABC News.
According to a Kansas City Star article published Dec. 24, "Commanders have been skeptical of the value of increasing troops. The decision represents a reversal for Casey, the highest-ranking officer in Iraq. Casey and Gen. John P. Abizaid, the top commander in the Middle East, have long resisted adding troops in Iraq,
Lt. Gen. David Petraeus will replace General George Casey, commander of US forces in Iraq. Casey originally opposed the President's plan to add troops in Iraq, arguing it could delay "the development of Iraqi security forces and increase anger at the United States in the Arab world."
The LA Times recently reported that Abizaid's departure could clear the way for a more aggressive strategy in Iraq. |
