CIA Denies Any 'Deficiencies' in Iraq Analysis. (VOA Report! )

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=D5A01B59-5956-4AF2-8C1BEA008B9B085E

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is dismissing as "absurd" charges it relied on outdated information to conclude that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and links to the al-Qaida terrorist network. In a statement issued by spokesman Bill Harlow, the CIA says it "stands fully behind its findings and judgments" about Iraq's weapons programs made before the Iraq war.
The statement came after two senior American lawmakers sent a letter to CIA Director George Tenet, citing "significant deficiencies" in the way information about Iraq's weapons capabilities and al-Qaida ties was collected.

In their letter, the lawmakers say that after international weapons inspectors left Iraq in 1998, intelligence was "fragmentary and sporadic," and that analysts' conclusions were based largely on "past assessments." In their words, "the absence of proof" that Iraq had destroyed its biological and chemical weapons' capability "was considered proof that they continued to exist."
<snip>

Somebody better call a plumber. The drip is about to become a stream.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

1. Related Forbes: U.S. lawmakers say Iraq WMD intelligence deficient

http://www.forbes.com/business/newswire/2003/09/28/rtr1093286.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence agencies had "significant deficiencies" in collecting information about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs and alleged ties to al Qaeda prior to the war against Baghdad, top lawmakers on the House Intelligence Committee told the CIA in a letter obtained Saturday.

Intelligence assessments that Iraq continued to pursue chemical and biological weapons and had ties to terror groups were long-standing judgments that were not routinely challenged within the intelligence agencies, according to the letter dated Thursday to CIA Director George Tenet and obtained by Reuters.

"The assessment that Iraq continued to pursue chemical and biological weapons remained constant and static over the past ten years," said the letter from House Intelligence Committee Chairman Porter Goss, a Florida Republican, and Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat.

But there was "insufficient specific information" about former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's plans and intentions, the status of Iraq's WMD programs and capabilities, and Iraq's links to al Qaeda, the letter said.
<snip>

[calimary]

5. Interesting counter-offensive, this.

I saw CONdi on MSNBC this morning blathering on about how the White House did the right thing and that it's all the fault of spotty and deficient intelligence - blame the CIA. Nice touch, probably to distract from the headlines about the CIA calling for a DOJ investigation into the exposing of Ambassador Wilson's wife. I bet that's why they're yammering about this, now, as a sidetracking tactic.

I wonder how many people will fall for it. I saw absolutely no follow-up questions to CONdi. Later, a White House reporter carried on at length about CONdi's claims, and added the whole expose-the-undercover-agent's-identity scandal as an AFTERTHOUGHT, indeed, it was the last sentence in her standup. What a disgrace!

[ixion]

2. so now Chimpy's cronies try to blame the CIA...

that's going to go over big, eh? :eyes:

One can only imagine the kind of infighting this issue will provoke.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. It's about to get bloody. Heads are going to start rolling

Or dominos are going to fall?

[never cry wolf]

4. Please, please, please

Oh please let it come out about the OSP and how the CIA just supplied the raw data and the admin manipulated it to back up policy. In a backwards way, this letter from the congressmen could and should cause this defense by the CIA.

[calimary]

6. Has anybody here called their congressmember about this lately?

First thing tomorrow (Monday) morning, do it! Looks like the media, once again, would rather drop the ball on this one. Which means WE can't.

on edit -

Here, again, are the toll free Capitol Hill switchboard numbers:

1 (800) 839 - 5276

1 (800) 648 - 3516

They'll connect you to anybody's office you want.

Also check www.congress.org and go to the directory - you can get everybody's numbers both in Washington AND their local office.

PLEASE do it, fellow DUers! It makes a difference! It's the way you make your voice heard.

[Gin]

7. The "Intelligence"deficiency is in the white house...they are dumb

as rocks to think this will fly, after all the shit they have piled
on us.....gin

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

8. Come on, Gin, let us hope a little? Puh-leeez?

:toast:

[Corgigal]

9. What balls and no brains

Doesn't the WH fear screwing over their own intelligence agency?
Can't W talk to Dad on why this isn't a good idea? Are these idiots so infatuated with power right now that they actually think this doesn't have all the marking of biting them in the behind?

This is becoming a Nixon WH after all.