CIA Boss: Iraq Never an Imminent Threat

[joeunderdog]

WASHINGTON - In his first public defense in the growing controversy over intelligence, CIA (news - web sites) Director George Tenet said Thursday that U.S. analysts never claimed before the war that Iraq (news - web sites) was an imminent threat. The urgency of such a threat was the main argument used by President Bush (news - web sites) for going to war.

snip

In a speech clearly aimed at protecting the CIA from becoming a scapegoat, Tenet said analysts held varying opinions about whether Iraq possessed chemical, biological and nuclear weapons before the war. Those differences were spelled out in the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate given to the White House, he said.


"They never said there was an imminent threat," Tenet said of the analysts. "Rather, they painted an objective assessment for our policy makers of a brutal dictator who was continuing his efforts to deceive and build programs that might constantly surprise us and threaten our interests."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&e=1&u=/ap/20040205/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/intelligence_cia

Doesn't look like Tenet will be falling on his own sword for GW. Best bet is that Shrub will take his own sword to him now.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Only one thing to do

impeach Bush for violating the "imminent threat" clause of the Constitution. I know it won't happen, but it should.

[maxsolomon]

3. the WHAT clause?

i ain't never hurd of that'un!

[Columbia]

4. Maybe he means the UN?

[proud patriot]

2. Rate this one !

:hi:

[Beetwasher]

5. That's A Good Headline

I'm pretty happy w/ that take...

[Just Me]

6. Wow, now this story is a very different summary from what I expected.

I was fully anticipating much, much more on the CYA Tenet was doing for Bush while balancing the credibility of the CIA. Frankly, this is moving towards independent journalist reporting. WOW!!!!

<edit - *laugh* I had spelled Tenet as Tent *giggle*>