Analysis of Public Statements made by Vice President Richard Cheney
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| The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq |
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| Vice President Richard Cheney on Chemical and Biological Weapons: |
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| "[T]he notion of a Saddam Hussein with his great oil wealth, with his inventory that he already has of biological and chemical weapons . . . is, I think, a frightening proposition for anybody who thinks about it." |
| Source: Face the Nation, CBS (3/24/2002). |
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Explanation This statement was misleading because it professed certainty when the intelligence community provided only an "estimate." According to CIA Director George Tenet, "it is important to underline the word estimate. Because not everything we analyze can be known to a standard of absolute proof." In addition, the statement failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities." | | |
| The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq |
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| Vice President Richard Cheney on Chemical and Biological Weapons: |
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| "The issue is that he has chemical weapons and he's used them." |
| Source: Late Edition (CNN), CNN (3/24/2002). |
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Explanation This statement was misleading because it professed certainty when the intelligence community provided only an "estimate." According to CIA Director George Tenet, "it is important to underline the word estimate. Because not everything we analyze can be known to a standard of absolute proof." In addition, the statement failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities." | | |
| The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq |
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| Vice President Richard Cheney on Nuclear Capabilities: |
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| "This is a man of great evil, as the President said. And he is actively pursuing nuclear weapons at this time." |
| Source: Late Edition (CNN), CNN (3/24/2002). |
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Explanation This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. | | |
| The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq |
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| Vice President Richard Cheney on Nuclear Capabilities: |
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| "And [Arab nations] are as concerned as we are when they see . . . his pursuit of nuclear
weapons." |
| Source: Remarks by President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney at a Photo Opportunity following their breakfast meeting., White House (3/21/2002). |
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Explanation This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. | | |
| The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq |
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| Vice President Richard Cheney on Nuclear Capabilities: |
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| "[W]e know they are pursuing nuclear weapons." |
| Source: The Vice President Participates in a Media Availability with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, White House (3/19/2002). |
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Explanation This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. | | |
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