'Arrogant' US made mistakes in Iraq: ambassador

[Team Infidel]

Media: AFP
Byline: n/a
Date: 05 October 2006


BAQUBA, Iraq, Oct 5, 2006 (AFP) - The US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay
Khalilzad, said Thursday that US officials had been arrogant and made many
mistakes during efforts to rebuild Iraq after the 2003 invasion.

"It's important to recognise that mistakes have been made over the last few
years. There have been times when US officials have behaved arrogantly and
were not receptive to advice from local leaders," he told Iraqi officials.

"We have made mistakes in the process of rebuilding Iraq," he said.

"The path for success is clear. We are committed to helping Iraq stand on
its own two feet," he added, speaking three-and-a-half years after US-led
forces toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Khalizad was speaking in Baquba, the capital of Diyala province, at the
inauguration of a provincial reconstruction team, a joint military and
civilian project to oversee rebuilding work.

Diyala is a war-torn region north of Baghdad in the grip of a vicious
campaign of sectarian cleansing by rival Sunni and Shiite militant groups.

 

[Marinerhodes]

Media: AFP
Byline: n/a
Date: 05 October 2006


BAQUBA, Iraq, Oct 5, 2006 (AFP) - The US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay
Khalilzad, said Thursday that US officials had been arrogant and made many
mistakes during efforts to rebuild Iraq after the 2003 invasion.

"It's important to recognise that mistakes have been made over the last few
years. There have been times when US officials have behaved arrogantly and
were not receptive to advice from local leaders," he told Iraqi officials.

"We have made mistakes in the process of rebuilding Iraq," he said.

"The path for success is clear. We are committed to helping Iraq stand on
its own two feet," he added, speaking three-and-a-half years after US-led
forces toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Khalizad was speaking in Baquba, the capital of Diyala province, at the
inauguration of a provincial reconstruction team, a joint military and
civilian project to oversee rebuilding work.

Diyala is a war-torn region north of Baghdad in the grip of a vicious
campaign of sectarian cleansing by rival Sunni and Shiite militant groups.

I have been called arrogant by some. I am not sure if they mistook my self-confidence and straightforwardness as arrogance or not. Perhaps this is a clash of cultures and how some people deal with others. Perhaps not.