The troops expected to return home at the end of the war, but the Pentagon's recent decision has frightened U.S. soldiers.
News sources on July 15 declared that the Pentagon cancelled orders to withdraw the U.S. Third Infantry in July and August due to the fact that coalition forces have been unable to establish and maintain security in Iraq.
Eric Wright of the U.S. Third Infantry said, "U.S. military forces are exhausted physically and psychologically; they must return to their country."
The increase in attacks on U.S. forces has certainly caused a decline in morale. U.S. forces scouring the country for former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his henchmen have come under regular attack from unknown assailants. It is thought that most of the attacks are being carried out by hardened forces of the ousted regime's dreaded security services and paramilitary organizations.
In a recent statement, U.S. President George W. Bush said that until the establishment of full democracy in Iraq, the U.S. forces will remain in that country. However, Bush's comments run contrary to the line of the U.S. overseer of the country, Paul Bremer, who is opposed to holding free elections to establish a permanent government in Iraq.
Political analysts believe that the U.S. statement on establishing a permanent governing council in Iraq was made due to the pressure exerted on U.S. forces in Iraq.
U.S. and British citizens are very concerned about the rising number of casualties in Iraq and the uncertainty about how long U.S.–led coalition forces will be stationed there. Coalition forces' morale is low, and they know that they are in a very bad situation.
Although almost three months have passed since President Bush declared an end to major military operations, the security situation has not improved, and U.S. forces are viewed as occupiers by Iraqis.
Now that the Iraqi people are free of the former regime's oppression, they will never accept foreign domination. Most Iraqis believe coalition forces are occupying their country with the intention of plundering it, increasing their animosity toward coalition troops.
This is the probable reason why U.S. bases have been repeatedly attacked over the past few weeks. U.S troops have even been forced to leave the city of Falluja.
Although the United States seems to be planning to maintain a long-term presence in Iraq, Bremer has tried to alleviate the situation by saying that coalition forces' responsibility in managing Iraqi affairs will end when a constitution is drawn up and a referendum is held.
It is obvious that under the current circumstances, holding a referendum will not be constructive since the method of establishing a governing council has been rejected by many Iraqis.
The members of the council are Iraqi, but they are appointed by the U.S. government. In addition, the council's decisions must be approved by the U.S. governor in Iraq. The U.S. in fact has the power to veto all council decisions.
In such a situation, where the Iraqis' basic needs have not been met yet, how can we expect the dissatisfaction and the attacks to come to an end?
It is clear that Iraqi dissatisfaction with U.S. activities in their country will continue. Perhaps that is why U.S. forces are more afraid than ever about their continued presence in Iraq.
SN/HG
End
MNA