The Enduring Occupation

Of the major Democratic candidates only one, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, really wants to withdraw all American occupation forces from Iraq within six months. All of the other candidates who currently hold public office have voted for legislation or made public statements that support the continued presence of American military personnel in significant numbers after our participation in the fighting ends. At the current casualty rate 5,000 Americans will be killed in the war by January 2009. But as many as 12 fortified bases will remain and be occupied by U.S. personnel at a cost of perhaps $5 to $7 billion a year. In Pentagonspeak they are called "enduring bases" rather than the more controversial "permanent bases". Whatever they are termed they are more than simply army camps. Besides post exchanges, movie theatres and fast food restaurants, one even has its own miniature golf course. The bases are part of the Regime's plan to leave behind a big enough U.S. military force to protect the oil fields if the Iraq central government collapses. The model for this enduring occupation of Iraq is South Korea where the American military has garrisoned personnel since the 1953 cease fire. Currently approximately 37,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea facing down the godless communists. There is even more reason to stay for six decades in Iraq.