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Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Michael M who wrote (47743)	7/28/1999 10:16:00 PM
From: Michael M	Respond to of 108807

Another subject -- anyone note growing panic in news media re. Bush being "too far ahead." Kind of like they paid the odd billion for rights to some sporting event and the outcome was acknowledged in advance. The idiot on MSNBC was actually touting Gov. Jesse a moment ago. This will no doubt get even goofier in days ahead.

To: Michael M who wrote (47743)	7/28/1999 11:15:00 PM
From: Dayuhan	Respond to of 108807

For those who do care, probably the ultimate source of information on the BOP is the CIA's own critique: seas.gwu.edu The original plan was rejected because it would have compromised deniability. Deniability was essential because direct US participation would have violated Article 2, paragraph 4 and Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as Articles 18 and 25 of the Charter of the Organization of American States, and Article 1 of the Rio Treaty. One of the difficult things about expecting others to see you as the good guy is that they expect you to behave like the good guy. One point the IG report made in no uncertain terms: "A paramilitary operation of the magnitude of Zapata [a code-name for the operation] could not be prepared and conducted in such a way that all U.S. support of it and connection with it could be plausibly denied." In other words, the invasion could not be both deniable and successful. Since deniability was assumed from the start to be essential, I would have to say it was a losing effort from the beginning. A point worth considering, from Schlesinger: “The reality,” writes Schlesinger, “was that Fidel Castro turned out to be a far more formidable foe and in command of a far better organized regime than anyone had supposed. His patrols spotted the invasion at almost the first possible moment. His planes reacted with speed and vigor. His police eliminated any chance of sabotage or rebellion behind the lines. His soldiers stayed loyal and fought hard. He himself never panicked; and, if faults were chargeable to him, they were his overestimate of the strength of the invasion and undue caution in pressing the ground attack against the beachhead. His performance was impressive.” Most military types would agree that underestimating the enemy is not conducive to success. The Patti book is an essential resource; amazing stuff. You'd love his accounts of French behaviour.