John T. Goegel

To the editor,

The selling of the surge by the Administration is a success. But President Bush’s latest assessment of our progress in the War on Iraq is disingenuous if not dishonest.

The proclaimed “Sunni Awakening” in al Anbar province began months prior to the announcement of the onset of the surge and is certainly not a consequence of this so-called strategy. The recent assassination of Sunni leader Abu Risha is a clear indication that any perceived progress in Al Anbar is tenuous at best.

The reduction in violence in Baghdad is a result of the ethnic cleansing that has undergone in that city. Baghdad was once 60-percent Sunni; at present it is 70-percent Shiite. Any remaining Sunnis reside in protected enclaves.

Southern Iraq has been abandoned to Shiite militias with the withdrawal of the British to a well secured military base near Basra. It has been reported that the US pays tribute to Shiite tribal leaders in the south to keep open the important supply route between Kuwait and the US bases throughout Iraq.

Though the Administration reports that the loss of our precious military personnel has declined in recent months, we are reminded that when compared to past summer months, these losses are at their highest.

With all the purported success of the surge the US remains powerless to effect any positive change with respect to the central governance of Iraq. The surge has only succeeded in delaying the Iraqi’s will to assume responsibility for their future.

The sooner we end the destructive occupation of Iraq the sooner international mediation and peacekeeping efforts can begin.

John T. Goegel

Canterbury