Big price for US forces in Iraq?

The former U.S. administrator in Iraq says the United States "paid a big price" for failing to deploy enough troops on the ground immediately after the ouster of &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2002/07/04/31802.html ' target=_blank>Saddam Hussein.

Paul Bremer, who oversaw the U.S. led &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/printed.html?news_id=12850 ' target=_blank>government in Iraq until the hand-over of power in June, says he still supports the decision to invade Iraq.

But, in a speech Monday, he said the shortage of troops in Iraq hampered efforts to end looting and violence, creating "an atmosphere of lawlessness.", says Voice of America.

Bremer's comments echoed contentions of many administration critics, including Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, who argue that the &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/14216_threat.html ' target=_blank>Bush administration has no plan for how to maintain security in Iraq.