The occupation of Iraq continues...

* ...as US is 'to keep bases in Iraq'

"The US is planning a long-term military presence in Iraq, in a move which will dramatically extend American power in the region and spread dismay and fear among its opponents across the Arab world.

According to reports, the Pentagon intends to retain four military bases in Iraq after the invasion force withdraws. It is already using the bases to support continuing operations against pockets of resistance. They are at the international airport near Baghdad, at Talil; close to the city of Nassiriya in the south; at an isolated airstrip called H-1 in the western desert; and at the Bashur airfield in the Kurdish north."



*...and Jay Garner arrives in Baghdad

"Gen Garner arrived with about 20 top aides, including his British deputy, Major General Tim Cross. His staff is to grow to about 450 over the next week as others arrive by overland convoy from Kuwait to set up the full office of reconstruction and humanitarian aid (ORHA).

The ORHA is to coordinate delivery of outside assistance to the 24 million Iraqis, made more needy by the impact of war; to oversee rebuilding of the nation's infrastructure, in disrepair from a decade of UN economic sanctions and further damaged by three weeks of US bombing; and to oversee a political process establishing an interim Iraqi government. For ordinary Iraqis, however, the first needs are for water and electricity - knocked out during the war - and, especially, for security in a city wracked by almost two weeks of looting."

Do keep in mind the fact that his role will be played down as mostly humanitarian. An assumption which his recent history does not necessarily point to.

The Observer recently brought this article: Oliver Morgan on Jay Garner, the hawkish head of the Pentagon agency that will be handling lucrative reconstruction deals.