Conference repair::reserve_forces

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Note 1.8                          Introduction                           8 of 11
DUCK::NASHD                                           4 lines  14-FEB-1991 16:00
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    I don't suppose there's any chance of a postcard....
                             
    

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Note 1.9                          Introduction                           9 of 11
BRABAM::PHILPOTT "Col I F 'Tsingtao Dhum' Philpott"   6 lines  14-FEB-1991 16:12
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    If I'm in one place long enough I'll drop one in the post...
    
    talk to you Monday...
    
    /. Ian .\

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Note 1.10                         Introduction                          10 of 11
BRABAM::PHILPOTT "Col I F 'Tsingtao Dhum' Philpott"  28 lines  17-FEB-1991 11:22
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so far so good.

I'm waiting for breakfast - they tell me its 0600, but I'll keep my watch on UTC
to avoid jet lag, and tell myself this meal is an early lunch...

6 months ago I'd have done this flight on commercial flights, but refuelling in 
Bahrein is a no-no at the moment so I am thanking to my USAF hosts for allowing
me to hitch hike.

Whilst changing planes at Dhahran I got to chat to my God Father for half an
hour and pick up a package to bring home.

Thailand was hot (34� in the shade, but seemed more like 45� with the heat index
factored in). Fortunately I was only there a little under a day then on to
America. We had an interesting debate on the way over. Stopped for fuel on the 
way over and then on to DC. All the business done, just got to get home...

Incidentally this had little to do with the Gulf - apart from my quick visit
to say hello to Sir Peter on the way past. However what it *did* have to do
with doesn't belong in here I guess...

/. Ian .\

If you're curious how I am writing this: well put it down to the marvels of
Science. I have a lap top and am logged in via a comms net to the machines
back in Basingstoke...

You just can't keep me away from my favourite notes conferences!

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Note 1.11                         Introduction                          11 of 11
CRISPY::NASHD                                        16 lines  17-FEB-1991 16:41
                         -< The traveller returns.... >-
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    Who was it who said truth is stranger than fiction......this is one of
    those times when I wonder what the hell goes on in this world behind 
    the scenes. 
    
    Imagine the Monday morning conversation: 
    Dave: "Hi Ian, I did the garden this weekend , what did you do?"
    Ian: "Oh I flew around the world"
    
    (Sunday afternoon football seems trivial all of a sudden)
    
    Tell me someone else feels a slightly, tinsey winsey, bit amazed.
    
    Hope you feel better soon Ian, welcome home.
    
   By the way, I've seen a few of Sir Peters  speeches on TV and he
    comes across as someone you would feel happier to have on your side 
    than the enemies.  How would you describe him Ian? Is he up to the task
    facing him?
    
    Dave
    
    Dave
    

Sir Peter is one of those archetypical Englishmen (with a deliberate capital E)
who appears a little bland, even Colonel Blimp-ish in peacetime, but who shines
in adversity.

I suspect he'll make a good co-worker for Stormin' Norman.

Of course the outline of his career is unusual for a senior general - he is the
first senior field force commander who has truly worked with the Special Forces
to the extent he has. He's being driven around in a Range Rover staff car with
an SAS escort/driver and a pair of Land Rover Discoveries crewed by Gurkhas.
With anybody else I'd take it as ostentation, but with Sir Peter it fits his
character.

I only wonder who is going to keep him in the rear echelon when the fighting 
starts... assuming it does.

A quotable remark (I think - at least in the context of this conference)

	"If the Iraqis wish to withdraw we'll be happy to escort them back to
	their barracks in Baghdad - and protect them from the Kurds and Israelis
	on their way ..."


/. Ian .\

personal footnote: I think the weather or the pressure changes got to me - I
have an earache this morning :-(

    
    Last week I was in Thailand.
    
    This week they've had a coup.
    
    This of course is a coincidence.
    
    The USA are miffed (="rather upset") and have canceled civil and
    military aid worth $16,000,000 (I shudder to think how the DEC
    subsidiary will get on - they were trying to sell a multimillion dollar
    system to the Thai Government to automate the tax system).
    
    It appears that my erstwhile US colleague did not warn the Pentagon
    that this was coming.
    
    This could be because he didn't speak Thai :-) It could also be because
    he went to the VFW club for a social evening whilst I went to dinner
    with General Suchinda...
    
    Incidentally reports of speaches by Thai generals and editorials
    forecasting a coming coup have been appearing in the English language
    Bangkok Post for 6 months or more. There is no excuse for US
    intelligence analysts to be unaware of the situation in Thailand.
    
    ---
    
    Generals Sunthorn & Suchinda have declared that they overthrew
    Chatichai because of corruption - rumours of massive bribe taking from
    miltinational companies for forrestry and mineral rights have been rife
    for nearly a year now - and will call free elections in about 6 months.
    On past performance - this sort of thing has happened several times
    since WWII - I imigine this will happen. It is worth noting that whilst
    the US is being very righteous about democracy in the region Chatichai
    was the first Premier since WWII to be elected in a free election to
    replace another civilian government since WWII and the US freely dealt
    with non-democratic Thai governments throughout the Vietnam era.
    
    ---
    
    /. Ian .\
    
    footnote: Chatichai comes from the same city of 200,000 inhabitants as
    my wife [ie he's from Khorat]. Not only do the folks there all seem to
    spit when they speak his name, they all seem to have the same story of
    how Chatichai's *father* was a corrupt politician who made his fortune
    from corrupt land deals... 

RE:
�    Last week I was in Thailand.
�    
�    This week they've had a coup.
�    
�    This of course is a coincidence. 


;-)


SIMON.