Official Confirms Claims That Saddam Was Bush’s Focus Before 9/11

[NNN0LHI]

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/US/oneill_charges_040113.html

Jan. 13— President Bush ordered the Pentagon to explore the possibility of a ground invasion of Iraq well before the United States was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, an official told ABCNEWS, confirming the account former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill gives in his new book.

The official, who asked not to be identified, was present in the same National Security Council meetings as O'Neill immediately after Bush's inauguration in January and February of 2001.

"The president told his Pentagon officials to explore the military options, including use of ground forces," the official told ABCNEWS. "That went beyond the Clinton administration's halfhearted attempts to overthrow Hussein without force." snip

Both the official who spoke to ABCNEWS and O'Neill have acknowledged that Bush had not yet made up his mind for a ground invasion at the start of his administration, but they say officials were told to find ways to get rid of the Iraqi leader.

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[Catherine Vincent]

1. This story needed no confirmation.

Check the archives of PBS Frontline. It is revealed that the bush cronies were gunning for Iraq before Bush's selection. They all flew to Austin to brief the republican nominee puppet on this.

[TexasPatriot]

2. i like this

it takes some of the heat off of O'neill and will defuse the 'he's a crackpot' stories that roveco was manufacturing.

when they really really hate you... they just call you crazy.

[Danieljay]

3. Just keep this ball rolling

and it will gather steam. Someone might have gotten to O'Neill, but perhaps his coming forward will give others the guts to speak, even if anonymously. Keep up the pressure.

[maggrwaggr]

4. Peter Jennings reported that tonight as well

sure as hell made my ears prick up.

A story to soon disappear ....

[whatelseisnew]

5. kick

[underpants]

6. Acoording to the book (I'm 100pages in) the following were present

W
Dick
O'Neill
Tenet
Condi
Rummy
Powell
Shelton (Chairman Joint Chiefs)

plus the "backbenchers" aides and secretaries

My money is on Powell or Shelton unless it was one of the back benchers