Pentagon plans fail almost completely
'"The Pentagon was sold on the idea that the war would be a piece of cake because everybody hated Saddam so much that once we entered, his military would collapse and all of the opposition forces would come out of the woodwork," one source, who closely monitors the battle situation in Iraq, said. "The assumption was completely wrong and now the administration is trying to figure out what to do."

'The administration had concluded that Iraq's military would collapse on the first day of fighting and that the Republican Guard would soon follow. The sources said these assessments formed the basis of the military's restrictions on target selection and rules of engagement.'

'At this point, the sources said, the State Department is urging the White House to consider an Arab initiative to convince Saddam to abdicate. Saudi Arabia has urged for a ceasefire and what the kingdom termed an honorable way to end the war. But the sources said President George Bush is determined to achieve a military victory and drive Saddam from power.'

Pentagon plans fail almost completely
'"The Pentagon was sold on the idea that the war would be a piece of cake because everybody hated Saddam so much that once we entered, his military would collapse and all of the opposition forces would come out of the woodwork," one source, who closely monitors the battle situation in Iraq, said. "The assumption was completely wrong and now the administration is trying to figure out what to do."

'The administration had concluded that Iraq's military would collapse on the first day of fighting and that the Republican Guard would soon follow. The sources said these assessments formed the basis of the military's restrictions on target selection and rules of engagement.'

'At this point, the sources said, the State Department is urging the White House to consider an Arab initiative to convince Saddam to abdicate. Saudi Arabia has urged for a ceasefire and what the kingdom termed an honorable way to end the war. But the sources said President George Bush is determined to achieve a military victory and drive Saddam from power.'