Iraqi post-war resistance was forecast

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. intelligence agencies were warned before the war in Iraq there would be significant armed opposition to a U.S.-led occupation, a report said Tuesday.

The Washington Post quoted one senior congressional aide as saying, "Iraqis probably would resort to obstruction, resistance and armed opposition if they perceived attempts to keep them dependent on the (United States) and the West."

Some administration officials have begun to fault the CIA and other intelligence agencies for being overly optimistic and failing to anticipate such widespread and sustained opposition to a U.S. occupation.

"Intelligence reports told them at some length about possibilities for unpleasantness," said a senior administration official, who like others spoke on condition of anonymity. "The reports were written but we don't know if they were read."

Then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki told Congress in February several hundred thousand occupation troops would be needed. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz rejected his estimate at the time as "wildly off the mark."