Bush knew evidence didn't support link

[wvrevy]

Bush informed in 2001 of lack of Iraq-Qaeda ties

Wed Nov 23, 2:57 AM ET

US President George W. Bush was informed 10 days after the September 11, 2001 attacks that US intelligence had no proof of links between Iraq and that act of terror, The National Journal reported.

Citing government documents as well as past and present Bush administration officials, the magazine said the president was briefed on September 21, 2001 that evidence of cooperation between Iraq and the Al-Qaeda terror network was insufficient.

Bush was also informed that there was some credible information about contacts between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda that showed that the Iraqi dictator had tried to establish surveillance over the group, according to the report.

Saddam Hussein believed the radical Islamic network represented a threat for his secular regime.

Little additional evidence has emerged over the past four years that could contradict the CIA conclusion about a lack of a collaborative relationship between Al-Qaeda and Iraq, the Journal quotes a high-level government official as saying.

The magazine believes the evidence raises yet more questions about the administration's use of intelligence in the run-up to the war in Iraq.

Bush Informed in September 2001

 

[JudicialTyranny]

Except taking out Saddam Hussein wasn't just about that....

"As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." -- Nancy Pelosi, December 16, 1998

"The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow." -- Bill Clinton in 1998

"We urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." -- From a letter signed by Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara A. Milulski, Tom Daschle, & John Kerry among others on October 9, 1998

"Saddam's goal ... is to achieve the lifting of U.N. sanctions while retaining and enhancing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. We cannot, we must not and we will not let him succeed." -- Madeline Albright, 1998

"(Saddam) will rebuild his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and some day, some way, I am certain he will use that arsenal again, as he has 10 times since 1983" -- National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, Feb 18, 1998

"Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to completely deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." -- Al Gore, 2002

"I will be voting to give the president of the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." -- John F. Kerry, Oct 2002

"What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs." -- Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002



Saddam Hussein has repeatedly violated each of the following resolutions:

UNSCR 678 - November 29, 1990

-Iraq must comply fully with UNSCR 660 (regarding Iraq's illegal invasion of Kuwait) "and all subsequent relevant resolutions."

-Authorizes UN Member States "to use all necessary means to uphold and implement resolution 660 and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security in the area."


UNSCR 686 - March 2, 1991

-Iraq must release prisoners detained during the Gulf War.

-Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.

-Iraq must accept liability under international law for damages from its illegal invasion of Kuwait.


UNSCR 687 - April 3, 1991

-Iraq must "unconditionally accept" the destruction, removal or rendering harmless "under international supervision" of all "chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and all related subsystems and components and all research, development, support and manufacturing facilities."

-Iraq must "unconditionally agree not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons or nuclear-weapons-usable material" or any research, development or manufacturing facilities.

-Iraq must "unconditionally accept" the destruction, removal or rendering harmless "under international supervision" of all "ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 KM and related major parts and repair and production facilities."

-Iraq must not "use, develop, construct or acquire" any weapons of mass destruction.

-Iraq must reaffirm its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

-Creates the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) to verify the elimination of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons programs and mandated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verify elimination of Iraq's nuclear weapons program.

-Iraq must declare fully its weapons of mass destruction programs.

-Iraq must not commit or support terrorism, or allow terrorist organizations to operate in Iraq.

-Iraq must cooperate in accounting for the missing and dead Kuwaitis and others.

-Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.


UNSCR 688 - April 5, 1991

-"Condemns" repression of Iraqi civilian population, "the consequences of which threaten international peace and security."

-Iraq must immediately end repression of its civilian population.

-Iraq must allow immediate access to international humanitarian organizations to those in need of assistance.


UNSCR 707 - August 15, 1991

-"Condemns" Iraq's "serious violation" of UNSCR 687.

-"Further condemns" Iraq's noncompliance with IAEA and its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

-Iraq must halt nuclear activities of all kinds until the Security Council deems Iraq in full compliance.

-Iraq must make a full, final and complete disclosure of all aspects of its weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.

-Iraq must allow UN and IAEA inspectors immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.

-Iraq must cease attempts to conceal or move weapons of mass destruction, and related materials and facilities.

-Iraq must allow UN and IAEA inspectors to conduct inspection flights throughout Iraq.

-Iraq must provide transportation, medical and logistical support for UN and IAEA inspectors.


UNSCR 715 - October 11, 1991

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA inspectors.


UNSCR 949 - October 15, 1994

-"Condemns" Iraq's recent military deployments toward Kuwait.

-Iraq must not utilize its military or other forces in a hostile manner to threaten its neighbors or UN operations in Iraq.

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors.

-Iraq must not enhance its military capability in southern Iraq.


UNSCR 1051 - March 27, 1996

-Iraq must report shipments of dual-use items related to weapons of mass destruction to the UN and IAEA.

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.


UNSCR 1060 - June 12, 1996

-"Deplores" Iraq's refusal to allow access to UN inspectors and Iraq's "clear violations" of previous UN resolutions.

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.


UNSCR 1115 - June 21, 1997

-"Condemns repeated refusal of Iraqi authorities to allow access" to UN inspectors, which constitutes a "clear and flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687, 707, 715, and 1060.

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.

-Iraq must give immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to Iraqi officials whom UN inspectors want to interview.


UNSCR 1134 - October 23, 1997

-"Condemns repeated refusal of Iraqi authorities to allow access" to UN inspectors, which constitutes a "flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687, 707, 715, and 1060.

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.

-Iraq must give immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to Iraqi officials whom UN inspectors want to interview.


UNSCR 1137 - November 12, 1997

-"Condemns the continued violations by Iraq" of previous UN resolutions, including its "implicit threat to the safety of" aircraft operated by UN inspectors and its tampering with UN inspector monitoring equipment.

-Reaffirms Iraq's responsibility to ensure the safety of UN inspectors.

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.


UNSCR 1154 - March 2, 1998

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA weapons inspectors and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access, and notes that any violation would have the "severest consequences for Iraq."


UNSCR 1194 - September 9, 1998

-"Condemns the decision by Iraq of 5 August 1998 to suspend cooperation with" UN and IAEA inspectors, which constitutes "a totally unacceptable contravention" of its obligations under UNSCR 687, 707, 715, 1060, 1115, and 1154.

-Iraq must cooperate fully with UN and IAEA weapons inspectors, and allow immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access.


UNSCR 1205 - November 5, 1998

-"Condemns the decision by Iraq of 31 October 1998 to cease cooperation" with UN inspectors as "a flagrant violation" of UNSCR 687 and other resolutions.

-Iraq must provide "immediate, complete and unconditional cooperation" with UN and IAEA inspectors.


UNSCR 1284 - December 17, 1999

-Created the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspections Commission (UNMOVIC) to replace previous weapon inspection team (UNSCOM).

-Iraq must allow UNMOVIC "immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access" to Iraqi officials and facilities.

-Iraq must fulfill its commitment to return Gulf War prisoners.

-Calls on Iraq to distribute humanitarian goods and medical supplies to its people and address the needs of vulnerable Iraqis without discrimination.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Can't this poor horse just RIP?

 

[Independent]

A 'joke' I received recently......

Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 22:19:00 -0500
George W. Bush has started an ill-timed and disastrous war under false pretenses by lying to the American people and to the Congress; he has run a budget surplus into a severe deficit; he has consistently and unconscionably favored the wealthy and corporations; he has destroyed confidence in, and good will toward, the United States around the globe; he has ignored global warming, to the world's detriment; he has wantonly broken our treaty obligations; he has condoned torture of prisoners; he has attempted to create a theocracy in the United States; he has appointed incompetent cronies to positions of vital national importance.

Now, as "The best sign in the DC Peace March" suggested,
"Would someone please give him a 'Monica' so we can impeach him!"

 

[wvrevy]

1 - You don't get to trot out the UN as the reason for going to war when you ignore the UN's protests over you going to war. I mean, a little hypocrisy is one thing, but that's just WAY over the top.

2 - You're right, Tigger...I mean, who really cares if the president lied to the American people, congress, and the UN ?

 

[jimmiej]

wrevy, haven't you beat this poor horse enough!? Why don't you come on over to the college football thread you started? Oh wait, that's not good for you either...

 

[sodaseller]

1 - You don't get to trot out the UN as the reason for going to war when you ignore the UN's protests over you going to war. I mean, a little hypocrisy is one thing, but that's just WAY over the top.

2 - You're right, Tigger...I mean, who really cares if the president lied to the American people, congress, and the UN ?

Exactly. The UN argument remains absurd. wew ent to war to enforce UN resolution against teh will of te UN in order to save teh credinbility of an institution we don't think has any even though our stated justifications were debunked.

"I know what you're thinking about," said Tweedle-dum, "but it isn't so, nohow." "Contrariwise," continued Tweedle-dee, "if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."

And if that justification is debunked, they'll come up with others. Just give them a few minutes. Poor character

 

[cardaway]

I see we have reached the "dead horse" tactic now.

American politics is such an embarrassment.

 

[bsnyder]

Bush informed in 2001 of lack of Iraq-Qaeda ties

Wed Nov 23, 2:57 AM ET

US President George W. Bush was informed 10 days after the September 11, 2001 attacks that US intelligence had no proof of links between Iraq and that act of terror, The National Journal reported.

Citing government documents as well as past and present Bush administration officials, the magazine said the president was briefed on September 21, 2001 that evidence of cooperation between Iraq and the Al-Qaeda terror network was insufficient.

Bush was also informed that there was some credible information about contacts between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda that showed that the Iraqi dictator had tried to establish surveillance over the group, according to the report.

Saddam Hussein believed the radical Islamic network represented a threat for his secular regime.

Little additional evidence has emerged over the past four years that could contradict the CIA conclusion about a lack of a collaborative relationship between Al-Qaeda and Iraq, the Journal quotes a high-level government official as saying.

The magazine believes the evidence raises yet more questions about the administration's use of intelligence in the run-up to the war in Iraq.

Bush Informed in September 2001

I'm wondering how this squares with the intelligence about Atta meeting with an Iraqi agent in Prague. The CIA and FBI now say they are skeptical that the meeting ever occured (although Czech intelligence has never refuted it). But at the time of this so-called briefing you are referencing, that investigation was still ongoing and the Czech BIS was claiming it was 70% verified. And on Oct. 27, 2001 (a month and a half after the briefing), the New York Times reported (erroneously) that 9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta "flew to the Czech Republic on April 8 and met with [an] Iraqi intelligence officer,"

That refutes the timeline in your post.