Six Retired Generals Clamor for Rumsfeld's Ouster: "Two more retired U.S. generals called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign on Thursday, claiming the chief architect of the Iraq operation ignored years of Pentagon planning for a U.S. occupation and should be held accountable for the chaos there.
As the high-ranking officers accused Rumsfeld of arrogance and ignoring his field commanders, the White House was forced to defend a man who has been a lightning rod for criticism over a war that has helped drive President George W. Bush's public approval ratings to new lows.
Six retired generals have now called for Rumsfeld to step down, including two who spoke out on Thursday.
Retired Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni added to the pressure for Rumsfeld's scalp by telling CNN that Rumsfeld should be held accountable for a series of blunders, starting with 'throwing away 10 years worth of planning, plans that had taken into account what we would face in an occupation of Iraq.'
His views were supported by other commanders who served under Rumsfeld.
'I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him,' said retired Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, who led the Army's 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq.
'Specifically, I feel he has micromanaged the generals who are leading our forces,' he told CNN.
Retired Major Gen. John Riggs told National Public Radio that Rumsfeld had helped create an atmosphere of 'arrogance' among the Pentagon's top civilian leadership.
'They only need the military advice when it satisfies their agenda. I think that's a mistake, and that's why I think he should resign,' Riggs said."
No comments:
Post a Comment