India RPCV Guy Sattley calls for Rumsfeld resignation in Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly



The proposed resolution blames Rumsfeld for failing to develop an adequate postwar plan in Iraq, failing to ensure U.S. troops had adequate protective gear and failing to provide troops with the training needed to manage prisoners of war. The resolution states "credibility at home and abroad must be restored," starting with Rumsfeld's resignation. Sattley said he is appalled at the level of incompetence he sees in the United States' civilian leadership when it comes to the country's military decisions.

India RPCV Guy Sattley calls for Rumsfeld resignation in Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly

Fairbanks duo calls for Rumsfeld's resignation

ASSEMBLY: In home of Strykers, resolution blames him for weak postwar plan.

The Associated Press

Published: September 23, 2006
Last Modified: September 23, 2006 at 03:14 AM

FAIRBANKS -- Two Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly members will ask that body to approve a resolution calling for the immediate resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

The resolution proposed by Assemblymen Hank Bartos and Guy Sattley follows an extension of the yearlong tour of duty in Iraq for troops from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Wainwright.

The troops were moved to Baghdad this summer. When soldiers from the brigade died in combat in recent weeks, Bartos said, he decided he had had enough.

"That was the last straw. I said it's time to take a stand and I'm taking a stand by calling for the secretary's resignation," he said.

"The Stryker guys have done a great job, in fact the military in general went over and did what they were supposed to do in Iraq when we started the war. But since the military achieved a victory over Saddam Hussein's forces, the situation over there has been terribly mismanaged."

Bartos and Sattley are a contrast in backgrounds.

Bartos was a lieutenant colonel and pilot during the Vietnam War. Sattley was a Peace Corps volunteer for three years during the conflict in Vietnam.

"You couldn't have two people with two more diverse 1960s experiences," Sattley said. "And yet we both agree on what has happened since the invasion of Iraq."

The proposed resolution blames Rumsfeld for failing to develop an adequate postwar plan in Iraq, failing to ensure U.S. troops had adequate protective gear and failing to provide troops with the training needed to manage prisoners of war.

The resolution states "credibility at home and abroad must be restored," starting with Rumsfeld's resignation.

Sattley said he is appalled at the level of incompetence he sees in the United States' civilian leadership when it comes to the country's military decisions.

The extension for Stryker troops was announced in late July. During a visit to Fairbanks last month, Rumsfeld said he could not guarantee the soldiers' return to Fort Wainwright after the 120-day extension.

The proposed resolution includes a statement of support for troops. It could be considered by the nine-member Assembly next week.

The proposed resolution follows a letter by six family members of Alaska-based soldiers earlier this week that also called for Rumsfeld's resignation. The family members are part of the Alaska chapter of Military Families Speak Out, an organization of people opposed to the Iraq war who have relatives or loved ones in the military.

The six, in a letter to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Rumsfeld did not answer written questions and concerns given to him on his trip to Fairbanks.

They also disputed his claim that the 172nd's arrival in Baghdad had contributed to a 40 percent to 50 percent decrease of civilian deaths there. News reports have questioned the military's accounts.

When this story was posted in October 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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