U.S. War Plan Leaked to Iraqis by Russian Ambassador

[Phlegm]

From ABC News:

Two Iraqi documents from March 2003 — on the eve of the U.S.-led invasion — and addressed to the secretary of Saddam Hussein, describe details of a U.S. plan for war. According to the documents, the plan was disclosed to the Iraqis by the Russian ambassador.

Document written sometime before March 5, 2003

The first document (CMPC-2003-001950) is a handwritten account of a meeting with the Russian ambassador that details his description of the composition, size, location and type of U.S. military forces arrayed in the Gulf and Jordan. The document includes the exact numbers of tanks, armored vehicles, different types of aircraft, missiles, helicopters, aircraft carriers, and other forces, and also includes their exact locations. The ambassador also described the positions of two Special Forces units.

Document dated March 25, 2003

The second document (CMPC-2004-001117) is a typed account, signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Hammam Abdel Khaleq, that states that the Russian ambassador has told the Iraqis that the United States was planning to deploy its force into Iraq from Basra in the South and up the Euphrates, and would avoid entering major cities on the way to Baghdad, which is, in fact what happened. The documents also state "Americans are also planning on taking control of the oil fields in Kirkuk." The information was obtained by the Russians from "sources at U.S. Central Command in Doha, Qatar," according to the document.

This document also includes an account of an amusing incident in which several Iraqi Army officers (presumably seeking further elaboration of the U.S. war plans) contacted the Russian Embassy in Baghdad and stated that the ambassador was their source. Needless to say, this caused great embarrassment to the ambassador, and the officers were instructed "not to mention the ambassador again in that context."

The full documents can be found on the U.S. Army Foreign Military Studies Office Web site: http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/products-docex.htm

[Ginzburgh]

Sneaky fucking Russians.

[Sorina S]

Didn't do the Iraqis a whole lotta good did it? And what the hell were the Russians doin at CENTCOM? Were they ever invited to this party in the first place? I spose they would be privvy to some things cus they're on the UN Security Council.

The only reason I can see the Russians supplying covert intel like this would be to push through some last minute arms deal. There was no way, even if we ourselves had told Saddam what we were gonna do (which we did sort of), that Iraq was gonna withstand our invasion. Everybody knew that.

Pesky Bolsheviks, you try to be nice and see what happens? Wait til they start beggin for wheat next time, we'll show them!

[Captain Insano]

Ain't the russians fault the US is run by complete morons.

[Phlegm]

More on this. From Associated Press:


WASHINGTON - In his struggle to figure out and foil the American invasion plan as it was unfolding in late March and early April 2003, Saddam Hussein may have fielded a few tips from an old ally: the Russian government.

But it seems possible the Russians’ “helpâ€

[Ouchyfish]

It's all an elaborate scheme to make Tom Clancy richer in a few years when he writes a book about it.

[kaharthemad]

still long enough to make sure and WMD's were moved to other friendly countries say...Syria?

[Lyion]

It's all an elaborate scheme to make Tom Clancy richer in a few years when he writes a book about it.

Except Clancy quit writing good stuff 20 years ago, and now solely boinks his trophy wife and goes on trips, while relying on hack writers to shovel out garbage that makes Mack Bolan look like Pulitzer material.