General Jay Garner, who was Director of the Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq, said in February 2004: ” ‘Look back on the Philippines around the turn of the 20th century: they were a coaling station for the navy, and that allowed us to keep a great presence in the Pacific. That’s what Iraq is for the next few decades: our coaling station that gives us great presence in the Middle East.’ ” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Jim Lobe, “Iraq: Now for the Base Truth,” Asia Times, Feb. 24, 2004