National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice - Inaccurate and Misleading Statements about Iraq

Bush on Iraq; The Bush Administration's Misleading and Inaccurate Public Statements on Iraq

Mission Not Accomplished, Cover of Time Magazine

Analysis of Public Statements made by National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice

The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on Al-Qaeda:

"Now the al-Qaida is an organization that's quite disbursed and --and quite widespread in its effects, but it clearly has had links to the Iraqis, not to mention Iraqi links to all kinds of other terrorists. And what we do not want is the day when Saddam Hussein decides that he's had enough of dealing with sanctions, enough of dealing with, quote, unquote, "containment," enough of dealing with America, and it's time to end it on his terms, by transferring one of these weapons, just a little vial of something, to a terrorist for blackmail or for worse."

Source: Face the Nation, CBS (3/9/2003).

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. This statement also was misleading because it evoked the threat of Iraq providing al Qaeda with weapons of mass destruction. According to the National Intelligence Estimate, the intelligence community had "low confidence" in that scenario.

The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on Al-Qaeda:

"Well, we are, of course, continually learning more about these links between Iraq and al Qaeda, and there is evidence that Secretary Powell did not have the time to talk about. But the core of the story is there in what Secretary Powell talked about. This poisons network with at least two dozen of its operatives operating in Baghdad, a man who is spreading poisons now throughout Europe and into Russia, a man who got medical care in Baghdad despite the fact that the Iraqis were asked to turn him over, training in biological and chemical weapons."

Source: Fox News Sunday, Fox News (2/16/2003).

The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on Al-Qaeda:

"QUESTION: Is there any question in your mind about the al Qaeda connection? Did Powell totally convince people today in that area? RICE: There is no question in my mind about the al Qaeda connection. It is a connection that has unfolded, that we're learning more about as we are able to take the testimony of detainees, people who were high up in the al Qaeda organization. And what emerges is a picture of a Saddam Hussein who became impressed with what al Qaeda did after it bombed our embassies in 1998 in Kenya and Tanzania, began to give them assistance in chemical and biological weapons, something that they were having trouble achieving on their own, that harbored a terrorist network under this man Zarqawi, despite the fact that Saddam Hussein was told that Zarqawi was there."

Source: Larry King Live, CNN (2/5/2003).

Explanation This statement was misleading because it asserted 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

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on Nuclear Capabilities:

"For example, the declaration fails to account for or explain Iraq's efforts to get uranium from abroad . . ."

Source: Why We Know Iraq Is Lying, NYT (1/23/2003).

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."

The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on Al-Qaeda:

"MS. RICE: There is plenty to indict Saddam Hussein without a direct link to 9/11. He clearly has links to terrorism. QUESTION: All right. And links to terrorism would include al Qaeda? I just want to be certain. MS. RICE: Links to terrorism would include al Qaeda, yes."

Source: Fox News Sunday, Fox News (9/15/2002).

Explanation This statement was misleading because it asserted that Iraq was linked 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.

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