Free Press
03-12-2008, 08:28 PM
Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:05am IST
STOCKHOLM (Reuters)
"Winning hearts and minds" in Western-occupied nations like Iraq and Afghanistan is an impossible goal, a British army commander said in frank remarks on Tuesday that challenged an often-heard mantra.
....... "To suggest that good intentions will cross fundamental cultural, social and religious differences and win over a damaged population is at best dangerous and wishful thinking. The image of winning a heart or a mind is almost ridiculous," he told an international security conference in Stockholm.
Lamb, until last October the top British commander in Iraq, was speaking five years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
....."I would contend that the (U.S.-led) coalition just being in Iraq presents to a proud and ancient civilisation abject humiliation, visible shame," he said.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-32428520080311
STOCKHOLM (Reuters)
"Winning hearts and minds" in Western-occupied nations like Iraq and Afghanistan is an impossible goal, a British army commander said in frank remarks on Tuesday that challenged an often-heard mantra.
....... "To suggest that good intentions will cross fundamental cultural, social and religious differences and win over a damaged population is at best dangerous and wishful thinking. The image of winning a heart or a mind is almost ridiculous," he told an international security conference in Stockholm.
Lamb, until last October the top British commander in Iraq, was speaking five years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
....."I would contend that the (U.S.-led) coalition just being in Iraq presents to a proud and ancient civilisation abject humiliation, visible shame," he said.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-32428520080311