|
Act IV, Scene 6
A briefing in Iraq, led by General Sancho Panza.
PANZA: Okay, I think I'm on here.
Good afternoon. How are you all doing today?
Let me start by expressing my sincere condolences
To the family and friends of our dedicated heroes
Who have sacrificed their lives for the Iraqi people.
There's some great news for you and the world.
The first is the transfer authority ceremony,
That took place yesterday.
With the transfer of authority,
There is an unmistakable message to the people of Iraq,
And the international community.
The United States is not here as an occupation force:
We are here to bring peace and stability to this country.
Also, the pace and intensity of our military
Operations has increased. Yes?
1st REPORTER.: What can you tell me about
The emotional level of American troops?
PANZA: You will find a coalition soldier
And American service member
Who is focused, dedicated.
He is not shirking away from his responsibilities
To defend his country.
So the morale is very very good.
I'm fiercely proud to lead
These fine men and women. In the back.
2nd REP.: General, do you need more troops?
PANZA: No, even if I had more troops, I don't have
The intelligence to use them. Yes?
3rd REP.: The 82nd airborne division
Was engaged in the village of Al Sidjar.
The 82nd called in air support.
Six missiles were fired into a farmhouse.
TV pictures showed a lot of wailing women.
PANZA: That's correct. There was an engagement.
There was return of fire by the 82nd.
A group went into this building.
It is within our rules of engagement
To pursue that hostile force,
And that is exactly what the 82nd did.
They responded with
Overwhelming combat power.
Is it likely there may have been
Other individuals in that building?
Possibly. When innocent Iraqis are killed or wounded,
We go back and take care of those incidents.
3rd REP.: If any enemy fires one shot at a US patrol,
And one man goes into a building
That you know is filled with women and children:
Under our current rules US soldiers have the right to destroy that building?
PANZA: That's what I said.
3rd REP.: Are you fearful you are losing
The hearts and minds of the Iraqis?
PANZA: We are working very, very hard to ensure
We do not lose the hearts and minds of the people.
1st REP.: Is this Vietnam all over again?
PANZA: There's no way you can make
The comparison to the quagmire of Vietnam.
Thank you all very much. Have a good afternoon.
|