Analysis of Public Statements made by Secretary of State Colin Powell
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| The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq |
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| Secretary of State Colin Powell on Nuclear Capabilities: |
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| "I hope that you will understand, as we believe we understand, that this is a danger, a danger to the world, for this kind of regime and this kind of man, Saddam Hussein, to continue to develop weapons of mass destruction--chemical weapons, biological weapons, nuclear weapons." |
| Source: Interview by RAI Television of Italy, RAI (1/29/2003). |
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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. In addition, it 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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| Secretary of State Colin Powell on Nuclear Capabilities: |
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| "And we will also put forward additional information that will substantiate the claim that they do have programs to develop chemical and biological weapons, as well as nuclear weapons." |
| Source: Interview by RAI Television of Italy, RAI (1/29/2003). |
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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. In addition, it 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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| Secretary of State Colin Powell on Al-Qaeda: |
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| "QUESTION: What have you got on the other front linking Iraq with al Qaida and Usama bin Laden? POWELL: We do have information that suggests that there have been links over the years, and continue to be links, between the Iraqi Government and al Qaida. And the more we look at this the more we are able to look back in time and connect things with people who have come into our custody and other information has become available to us. It's clear that there is a link." |
| Source: Interveiw by ITN Television of Great Britain, ITN (1/29/2003). |
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Explanation This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq was providing support to al Qaeda. In fact, the U.S. intelligence community had conflicting evidence on this issue and was divided regarding whether there was an operational relationship. | | |
| The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq |
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| Secretary of State Colin Powell on Al-Qaeda: |
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| "QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you have spoken, in Davos most recently, about a connection between Iraq and terrorist groups, including al Qaida. Are you saying there is evidence that that has happened in the past, or is there evidence currently that there's still a connection? SECRETARY POWELL: I think we have said consistently all along, through last fall and into this year, that we have seen contacts and connections between the Iraqi regime and terrorist organizations, to include al Qaida. As we have been able to focus on this more and look back in time, I think we're more confident of that assessment and we see no reason not to believe that such contacts and the presence of al Qaida elements or individuals in Iraq is a reasonable assumption, and we have some basis for that assumption." |
| Source: Briefing on the Iraq Weapons Inspectors' 60-Day Report: Iraqi Non-cooperation and Defiance of the UN, State Dept (1/27/2003). |
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Explanation This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq was providing support to al Qaeda. In fact, the U.S. intelligence community had conflicting evidence on this issue and was divided regarding whether there was an operational relationship. | | |
| The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq |
|
| Secretary of State Colin Powell on Nuclear Capabilities: |
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| "Why is Iraq still trying to procure uranium and the special equipment needed to transform it into material for nuclear weapons?" |
| Source: Remarks at the World Economic Forum, State Dept (1/26/2003). |
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Explanation This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought to acquire uranium despite the fact that the CIA expressed doubts about the credibility of this claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. CIA Director George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy. In addition, the statement fails to mention that State Department intelligence officials also concluded that this claim was "highly dubious." | | |
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