If true, "it is incontrovertible evidence that those in charge of the war had no clue as to the reality on the ground, and thus were incapable of properly planning for it."

NEW YORK -- During an interview on CNN last evening, Pat Robertson claimed the President told him before the start of the war, "We're not going to have any casualties [in Iraq]." Operation Truth Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff released the following statement in response, today. Rieckhoff served as an infantry platoon leader for ten months during Operation Iraqi Freedom:

"Pat Robertson's claim that President Bush assured him there would be no casualties in Iraq is truly disturbing. Those of us who served had differing opinions on whether we should be going to war as the best strategy to protect our nation, but all of us agreed on two things - we would fulfill our mission regardless of our personal opinions, and some of us would die.

"It is certainly possible that Rev. Robertson was taking the comments out of context, and the President must be given a chance to clarify them. However, if anyone in the Administration or the Pentagon believed that this war would yield zero casualties, it would demonstrate a shocking lack of understanding about the serious nature of the enemy threat on the ground.

"In recent weeks, the media has finally begun to shed light on something thatcombat soldiers in Iraq have known for some time - that many of our officers and troops were ill-prepared and under-supported. A situation like this could only be the result of bad war planning from those civilians in the Pentagon who do not understand the realities of warfare and military needs, and refuse to listen to those that do.

"Unfortunately, if the President's reported comment that there would be no casualties is accurate, it is incontrovertible evidence that those in charge of the war had no clue as to the reality on the ground, and thus were incapable of properly planning for it."