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thedrifter
09-02-03, 05:45 AM
Former Navy secretary blasts Bush on Iraq
By DENNIS O'BRIEN, The Virginian-Pilot
© August 30, 2003

NORFOLK -- Former Navy Secretary James Webb blasted the Bush administration's policy on Iraq, saying it was sold to the American people on false premises.

``I am very troubled by the fact that we went into Iraq and very troubled about how we're going to get out of Iraq,'' Webb said Thursday to about 200 naval officers, veterans and civilians at the Radisson Hotel Norfolk. The lecture was sponsored by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the Naval War College Foundation.

The United States should quickly get the United Nations involved in administering and patrolling the country, he said.

``We need to get out of there before the mistake we made gets worse,'' said Webb, a Marine Corps veteran.

The Bush administration this week began making efforts toward getting a U.N. force on the ground in Iraq, but a sticking point at the United Nations has been the administration's insistence on a U.S. commander for U.N. troops.

Webb said the troops in Iraq are facing combat experiences similar to those he saw as a platoon leader and company commander in Vietnam, where he was awarded a Navy Cross, a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for heroism, and two Purple Hearts for wounds.

Webb, who resigned as Navy secretary in 1988 to protest cuts in the size of the fleet, said military leaders have an obligation to their troops.

Bob Briner, a retired Navy captain from Virginia Beach, said he appreciated Webb's observations.

``What I like about Webb is that he's been there, he knows what he's talking about,'' he said.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Reach Dennis O'Brien at dennis.obrien@pilotonline.com or at 446-2355.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=59068&ran=179286

Sempers,

Roger
:marine: