Why the CIA thinks Bush is wrong
The president says the US has to act now against Iraq. The trouble is, his own security services don't agree. Neil Mackay reports
Background
George Bush was about to be hoist by his own petard. It was Monday last week, and the president was glad-handing with the great and the good at the Cincinnati Museum Centre in Ohio as he waited to give one of his most bellicose speeches yet.
In the audience were Ohio state governor Bob Taft and a host of business and political luminaries. As the deadline approached for the Senate and House of Representatives vote on whether or not to give Bush the backing he wanted to attack Iraq, this speech was to be the president's final flourish in the propaganda war to get the US marching in line behind him.
The Unraveling
Bush's claims that Iraq was intent on attacking the USA had already began to unravel. The denouement started a few days before, on Thursday, October 3, when Senator Bob Graham, chair of the Senate intelligence committee, metaphorically donned his hob-nailed boots and began delivering some well-aimed kicks to the head of George Tenet, the director of the CIA.
With one week until Congress voted on authorising Bush to use force, Graham was impatient. These are serious times, he said, and he needed serious answers. Graham and the committee had received an anodyne intelligence report from the CIA on the threat posed by Iraq the day before -- Wednesday, October 2. This, however, answered none of the questions the Senate committee wanted answered.
On October 9, almost a week after Tenet received his whipping at the hands of Graham, the senator's hardman approach paid off when the director of the CIA admitted that the only reason Saddam would use WMDs against the United States was if he was backed into a corner -- due to a strike by the American military -- and realized he was about to fall.
Tenet's Revelations
Tenet's admissions left Bush in disarray with revelations making it appear as if the president was exaggerating the threat from Iraq, to say the least. Tenet, a loyal subject of the Bush administration, had no option but to come clean. The CIA director's hands were tied on October 3 by Senator Graham when he told the CIA it was acting 'unacceptably' and that the Senate was the only means by which the intelligence community could communicate to the legislative branch of government.
Tenet's letter said he was declassifying selected material to help the Senate's deliberations on whether or not to support the president over attacking Iraq. 'Baghdad, for now, appears to be drawing a line short of conducting terrorist attacks with conventional or CBW (chemical and biological weapons) against the United States,' the declassified material read.
The White House Spin
The White House tried to put a different spin on the Tenet letter. Sean McCormack, the White House National Security Council spokesman, said the portions of the letter released by Graham gave a misleading impression of the CIA's overall conclusion. 'There were parts of the Tenet letter that weren't read in,' he said.
However, Graham's spokesman, Paul Anderson, denied there had been any misquoting, and the full document, released by the Senate committee, supports Anderson's line.
Conclusion
Despite the admissions in the Tenet letter, the Senate voted 77-23 in the early hours of last Friday morning to authorize Bush to use force against Iraq. It seems that most of the Senate listened to the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's reply to claims that the White House was exaggerating the Iraqi threat.
The doubts of the intelligence community were washed away against patriotic phrase-making, but a few senators listened to Tenet's admissions and voted 'no', among them was Senator Bob Graham.
The Battle Within
Main topic - The Battle within US intelligence agencies
The battle for hearts and minds regarding the US invasion of Iraq extended beyond the public sphere. Within the intelligence community, there were contrasting opinions and conflicting assessments about the threat posed by Iraq.
The CIA's Dissent
The CIA's director, George Tenet, and the Senate intelligence committee, led by Senator Bob Graham, clashed over the information provided to Congress about the Iraqi regime. Senator Graham accused the CIA of withholding crucial information that impacted Congress' ability to assess the need for military action.
The Unraveling of Bush's Claims
Tenet's admission that Saddam would only resort to using weapons of mass destruction if under attack directly contradicted Bush's assertions that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the United States. The CIA's revelations undermined the basis for Bush's call to arms and left the president in a precarious position.
Controversial Connections
While Tenet hinted at connections between Iraq and al-Qaeda, his claims lacked concrete evidence. European counterparts, such as French investigator Jean-Louis Bruguière, maintained that there was no trace of a link between Saddam and bin Laden. The focus on alleged connections between Iraq and al-Qaeda heightened skepticism within the intelligence community.
Hotels
Shifting gears from the political battleground to a more relaxing topic, let's explore the world of hotels. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, finding the right hotel is crucial for a comfortable stay. From luxury resorts to budget-friendly options, hotels cater to a wide range of needs and preferences.
When choosing a hotel, factors such as location, amenities, cleanliness, and customer reviews play a crucial role. Some travelers prefer centrally located hotels close to major attractions, while others seek a peaceful retreat away from the bustling city.
In recent years, the hospitality industry has witnessed a rise in unique accommodation options, such as boutique hotels and eco-friendly resorts. These establishments offer a more personalized experience, often reflecting the local culture and offering a distinctive atmosphere.
With the advent of online booking platforms, booking a hotel has become more convenient than ever. Travelers can compare prices, read reviews, and make reservations with just a few clicks. However, it's always recommended to do thorough research and consider multiple sources of information before making a final decision.
Whether you're planning a quick weekend getaway or a long-awaited vacation, finding the perfect hotel can enhance your travel experience and provide a comfortable home away from home.
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