Will someone wake up the Lieutenant General already ? The aerial bombardment of Iraq lasted more than 30 days before the ground war started !!! By any stretch of imagination, this war is only going faster than the war in 1991. After all, the current campaign is only 12 days old.
It is foolish to rely on the thinking of retired military officers in modern warfare. Of course, the great General MacArthur was an exception. Randhawa sounds like he is getting some sort of remuneration (pension?) from Saddam Hussein.
RE:Saddam will never surrender
by Mantoshe Singh Devji on Apr 05, 2003 08:48 AM
You have the typical jaded thinking of an Indian, that every man is for sale. Though that may be true in most cases, General Randhawa is true soldier to the core. What gives you the right to challenge his integrity because he speaks a line which is not popular with you obviously? Are you some kind of authority on Iraq yourself or are you safely ensconsed in a comforatable house hitting your compurer keys, have you ever seen battle, or met General Randhawa?
These factors must be considered in the timetable for the fall of Baghdad:
1. Iraqi forces have no air cover - all destroyed.
2. Iraqi forces have no air defense - all destroyed.
3. Defections within the Iraqi military will come into play.
4. Kurdish forces may play a significant role in the battle of Baghdad.
5. Saddam designed Baghdad for the use of armor within the city in order that he could control his own people. Ironically, the Americans will avail themselves to this.
6. Small GPS guided bombs can effectively destroy individual small buildings with minimal collateral damage. Baath Party and Iraqi forces will have limited places to effectively hide.
7. Iraqi civilians outside of Baghdad are already assising US forces in locating and identifying Baath Party members and Iraqi forces resulting in their destruction. This too, will occur in Baghdad.
For sure it will be difficult with the US and British suffering casualties from guerilla type warfare but the battle will be over in less than 3 months. And it may be sooner if the Baath Party leaders are eliminated quickly.
RE:Other Factors Involved
by Indian on Apr 07, 2003 05:36 PM
phew..... what a big list.I wonder how come US is still only 'trying' to capture Baghdad.
It is not only the muscle power which matters, but high moral and the willingness to die for a cause which matters more.
No matter what , no one including you I guess ,wants any invaders to come and capture their country.More so if you know the hidden evil intentions of the modern day 'Pirates' the Bush and his gang. May be Iraqis hate Saddam but at the same time they dont love Bush and if you really believe in what the US propaganda machinery is trying to reach to you , you are for a ride.As for sporadic incidences of Iraqis supporting coalation ....there will always be people in any country who will be against the present regime.For that matter there may be more Americans against Bush than the Iraqis against Saddam.Does it mean someone flexing the muscle power is authorized to 'liberate' those Americans ?
The war will not end even if Baghdad falls to dogs.
The guerella war will continue and the peace will never prevail. Is this what the world is looking for ?
I find it interesting that the General makes a reference to Hitler in this article. Perhaps the General knows Saddam as well as he says he does.
Oh, and by the way General, you'll never see an American suicide bomber. Yes, there are some things that are unethical. Did the General teach Iraqi's to use women and children as battlefield shields? I hope not.
RE:Saddam to Die Like Hitler
by Indian on Apr 02, 2003 04:20 PM
My dear you fight with what you have.
Deprive US of the advance tech arms and put them thru hostile conditions like what Iraqi's face today , hopefully you will have suicide bombers ,hopefully because to do so you really need to have a 'cause' , high moral an guts.
After 12 years of sanctions and a planned disarmament thru UN before the invasion you expect Iraqi's to be fool enough to come out in open and offer an easy target.What they are doing is better than what US has done under cover of UN.
RE:Saddam to Die Like Hitler
by KS on Apr 02, 2003 07:51 PM
General has atleast served in the army for years and won many a battles but what people condemning him have done in their life...............just talk. No country has a right to invade another. Every one knows its all about oil, there are dictators in many other countries but its a shame that they dont have oil.
Alliance did not get the support they expected from the common people, they are only causing a birth of another palestine.
AMER4ICAN COALITION AND PARTICULARLY AMERICANS SHOULD THINK THEY SHOULD DEVELOP goodways to work economically,and not by means of war ,killing millions innocents and civilians and finally increasing the cost of all articals,to me it appears penny wise pound foolish.but you can deffinately sell your arms.not all nations are fool who donot vote for americans act.one has to calmly think and act sencibly .
i say kudos to Lt.Gen Randhawa who has spoken with such authority, and fearlesness. Honestly, the world needs to let America know that they cannot go around bossing over anyone and everyone they like. Like Gen. Randhawa said, "everything that America does is legitimate, but one li'l thing that any other country does is illegitimate." I say that's utter nonsense. I am totally for Iraq in this war, and i would love to see the Americans get the living daylights beat out of them.
RE:Bravo Lt.Gen Randhawa!!!
by Geoff on Apr 02, 2003 08:24 PM
Why don't you grab your weapon and you and the General catch the first taxi to Baghdad. You can fight for your morally bankrupt cause. Saddam and the Fedayeen are killing the Iraqi people and you can help them kill more. You will not be able to kill the coalition forces.
Mr.Saddamji,please donot surrender ,we have a great hope on you.We are giveing our moral and heartly support to you.Beacause you are fighting against terrerism/killer.For his oil requirement ,they are killing the innocients,childs,womens,old mans animals and the natural sources.You born to victory.SADDAM means VICTORY.After the war you are cordially invited to my country INDIA for a INDIAN Dinner at my residense,as per my standard.Because i am not Saddam .GO FIGHT,Save the people & GET VICTORY.
It seems that the Iraqis and the Turks and the rest of the world will have to share the blame when Bagdad is eventually destroyed. If a siege is what the coalition forces are left with then so be it. If this is the only option left to depose Saddam, then the bombing should intensify, and the process of destroying the city should begin. Saddam has brought this on himself and his people.
As for the Turks, they have gambled their future as well. At the victory dinner, you need to decide in advance if you will be a guest of honor or simply an item on the menu. Don't be suprised to see an independent Kurdish state carved out of Northern Iraq.
While I agree with the Lt Gen. assesment of typical US world geography knowledge, I would personally put my knowledge of that region up against his in a friendly contest anyday!
Had reservations about the war / but now support the troops . . .
The 100 crore Indians should raise their voice against this sheer brutality shown by the Americans ona helpless country bombed every other day for 12 years ina row.
Today what is happening to Iraq can happen to India next , under the disguise of stopping cross border terrorism.
A clear message is to be conveyed to Americans that they are not welcomed anywhere in the world as world Police
