Blumenthal: There was no failure of intelligence

[huckleberry]

US spies were ignored, or worse, if they failed to make the case for war

Sidney Blumenthal
Thursday February 5, 2004
The Guardian

"... On January 28, Kay appeared before the Senate to testify that there were no WMDs. "It turns out that we were all wrong," he said. President Bush, he added helpfully, was misinformed by the whole intelligence community which, like Kay, made assumptions that turned out to be false.

Within days, Bush declared that he would, after all, appoint a commission to investigate; significantly, it would report its findings only after the presidential election.

Kay's testimony was the catalyst for this u-turn, but only one of his claims is correct: that he was wrong. The truth is that much of the intelligence community did not fail, but presented correct assessments and warnings, that were overridden and suppressed. On virtually every single important claim made by the Bush administration in its case for war, there was serious dissension. Discordant views - not from individual analysts but from several intelligence agencies as a whole - were kept from the public as momentum was built for a congressional vote on the war resolution.

snip

This week, when Bush announced he would appoint an investigative commission, Powell offered a limited mea culpa at a meeting at the Washington Post. He said that if only he had known the intelligence, he might not have supported an invasion. Thus he began to show carefully calibrated remorse, to distance himself from other members of the administration and especially Cheney. Powell also defended his UN speech, claiming "it reflected the best judgments of all of the intelligence agencies".

much more at

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1141401,00.html

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. yeah, I have been wondering when someone was going

to mention this.
Seems like Scott Ritter and Hans Blix both said there were no WMD's in Iraq before the war. Lots of other countries doubted it too, and they supposedly were privy to the WH's "evidence."
Everything that I read led me to the conclusion there were not any WMD's in Iraq.
So if it was out there in the mainstream internet media, you mean to tell me there was no mention of it in US intel circles?
BULLSHIT.
Kay is just taking one for Dubya.

[Buns_of_Fire]

15. Now the question is, will Tenet take one for dubya* tomorrow?

Or will he defend his agency? :shrug:

[radfringe]

17. Tenet will fall on his sword again for bush*

and that leaves everyone else dangling in the wind

one thing I haven't seen (yet) in any of the stories/editorials is the damage this has done to the intelligence community's credibility and that of it's employees/agents

** 9-11 was blamed on intelligence failures
** Iraq-Niger yellow-cake was blamed on intelligence failures
** NO WMDs is being blamed on intelligence failures

this means that info emerging from the intelligence can't be trusted as being credible or reliable

How will this fly when bush* says that the WMDs are in Syria or somewhere else that he wants to invade?

Watch for the 'blame game' spin -- the bushies will be blaming Clinton before long -- i.e. the reliability and effectiveness of the intelligence community suffered under Clinton's watch.....

[bobbieinok]

28. It's not Clinton's 'fault', it's the 'fault' of the 70s Sen Church (D)

investigation of the CIA....

It 'weakened' the CIA and made it 'unable to do it's job.'

I've heard and read this several places.

From what I remember, his investigation was the result of serious problems with the CIA that had become public and could no longer bew ignored.

[Bandit]

31. Do you think the OSP had anything at all to do with things?

:shrug:

[PaDUer]

38. You're right about them blaming Clinton..

the freepers are going gun-ho about it...Clinton's penis is the root of all evil according to them...

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

43. But then, what do you expect? These are the same agencies

that said the USSR was such a threat all those years, and did not forsee the end of Communisum six weeks before it happened.

And that was after Billions of dollars and 50 years of running human agents in and out of East Bloc countries.

[Oilwellian]

47. You're wrong

The CIA did know that the Soviet Union was going to topple and reported as much.

<snip>
Team B

The concept of a conservative counter-analysis, which became known as “Team B,” had been opposed by the previous CIA director, William Colby, as in inappropriate intrusion into the integrity of the CIA’s analytical product. But the new CIA director, a politically ambitious George H.W. Bush, was ready to acquiesce to the right-wing pressure.

“Although his top analysts argued against such an undertaking, Bush checked with the White House, obtained an O.K., and by May 26 <1976> signed off on the experiment with the notation, ‘Let her fly!!,” wrote Anne Hessing Cahn after reviewing “Team B” documents that were released more than a decade ago.

The senior George Bush offered the rationale that Team B would simply be an intellectual challenge to the CIA’s official assessments. The elder Bush’s rationale, however, assumed that Team B didn’t have a pre-set agenda to fashion a worst-case scenario for launching a new and intensified Cold War. What was sometimes called Cold War II would demand hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayers’ money for military projects, including big-ticket items like a missile-defense system.

Not surprisingly, Team B did produce a worst-case scenario of Soviet power and intentions. Gaining credibility from its access to secret CIA data, Team B challenged the assessment of the CIA’s professional analysts who held a less alarmist view of Moscow’s capabilities and intentions. “The principal threat to our nation, to world peace and to the cause of human freedom is the Soviet drive for dominance based upon an unparalleled military buildup,” wrote three Team B members Pipes, Nitze and Van Cleave.

Team B also brought to prominence another young neo-conservative, Paul Wolfowitz. A quarter century later, Wolfowitz would pioneer the post-Cold War strategy of U.S. preemptive wars against countries deemed potential threats by using the same technique of filtering the available intelligence to build a worst-case scenario. In 2001, George W. Bush made Wolfowitz deputy secretary of defense under Rumsfeld.

Though Team B’s analysis of the Soviet Union as a rising power on the verge of overwhelming the United States is now recognized by intelligence professionals and many historians as a ludicrous fantasy, it helped shape the national security debate in the late 1970s. American conservatives and neo-conservatives wielded the analysis like a club to bludgeon more moderate Republicans and Democrats, who saw a declining Soviet Union desperate for arms control and other negotiations.

<more>
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2003/102203.html

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

49. Sorry, I don't see anything there that would show they

knew about the USSR's decline, or even believed it possible.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

44. Tenet Stands UP!

[tabasco]

30. The entire world knew there were no WMDs

Even the neocons knew, but they wanted war. It is a theatre of the absurd to see these evil men now try to seek forgiveness. They should be punished for killing innocent people. They are murderers.

[Manix]

2. A lot of countries that refused to go along with the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfield

charade did so based on information from their own sources that
these claims were dubious. (the Canadian Foreign Minister said as
much yesterday) This notion "we were all wrong" is bullshit!!

[gatlingforme]

3. The big farce of last year was the "boycotts" of the French goods and

the whole FREEDOM FRIES" charade --- it made me vomit to think that people fall for that ignorance

[Skittles]

8. gawd

that was an embarassing display of American arrogance and stupidity. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Stephanie]

4. "I'm not reading this. This is bullshit."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,968581,00.html

Powell's doubts over CIA intelligence on Iraq prompted him to set up secret review
Specialists removed questionable evidence about weapons from draft of secretary of state's speech to UN
Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington and Richard Norton-Taylor
Monday June 2, 2003
The Guardian

Fresh evidence emerged last night that Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, was so disturbed about questionable American intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction that he assembled a secret team to review the information he was given before he made a crucial speech to the UN security council on February 5.
Mr Powell conducted a full-dress rehearsal of the speech on the eve of the session at his suite in the Waldorf Astoria, his New York base when he is on UN business, according to the authoritative US News and World Report.

Much of the initial information for Mr Powell's speech to the UN was provided by the Pentagon, where Paul Wolfowitz, the US deputy defence secretary, set up a special unit, the Office of Special Plans, to counter the uncertainty of the CIA's intelligence on Iraq.

Mr Powell's team removed dozens of pages of alleged evidence about Iraq's banned weapons and ties to terrorists from a draft of his speech, US News and World Report says today. At one point, he became so angry at the lack of adequate sourcing to intelligence claims that he declared: "I'm not reading this. This is bullshit," according to the magazine.

Presented with a script for his speech, Mr Powell suspected that Washington hawks were "cherry picking", the US magazine Newsweek also reports today. Greg Theilmann, a recently retired state department intelligence analyst directly involved in assessing the Iraqi threat, says that inside the Bush administration "there is a lot of sorrow and anger at the way intelligence was misused".

<more>

[jokerman93]

5. I'm not reading this. This is bullshit.

Sounds like Powell must have had a strong "Dude, where's my country?" moment --


just before the Darkness swallowed him...

[kskiska]

6. This remark came out at the time

but was quickly refuted – by Powell. I always suspected it was true.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

7. Okay, a side question... why do we spend a fortune for him to

work at the Waldorf-Astoria when we have several "official" US diplomatic residences in NYC where every other SecState has worked?
What is it with these assholes enriching their buddies all the time?

[Bandit]

34. A very good question indeed but will it ever get asked

I have been trying to figure your ribbons out. My conclusion is they are Marine and you were at Khe Sahn. I have several of them but most I don't recognize. Am I close? I recognize the VSR and VCR and looks like a purple heart and air medal and bronze star (might be silver) but because of placement I think Bronze and of course Nat Def. but the rest I don't know.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

40. I fool a lot of people with them. 4 years Navy as a HM with FMF

In VietNam from late 72 to the evac from the roof in 75, with 9th Marines and/or HMM-165 at various times according to the needs...

Then got out and spent 21 years in the USCG.

Top medal is the Gold Lifesaving Medal, which is the CG's Bronze Star essentially, second is Purple Heart, yes. Next two are CG commmendation and CG achievement. then Navy Achievement.
Then it gets weird... CG Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Coast Guard Commdant's Letter of Meritorious Service Award, Coast Guard Unit Citation, Coast Guard E, Navy E, CG Good Conduct, Navy Good Conduct, National Defense, Armed Forces Expedition Medal, VietNam Service Ribbon, Humatarian Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Korea Defense Ribbon, VietNam Gallentry Cross, Civic Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation, Republic (!) of VietNam Campaign Medal, Rifle Expert, Pistol Expert.

there are some seriously gedunk ones I don't wear, and I should probably trim this down, but I am too lazy.

You were closer than most are.

[Stephanie]

41. Well, that was a huge meeting of the entire UN

For some reason the Waldorf is the hotel of choice for heads of state. So that whole neighborhood gets locked down tight for these events. As I recall the entire UN neighborhood was also locked down - all midtown streets east of 2nd Avenue were blocked off.

SO, it's probably cheaper to put Powell up at the Waldorf with the rest of them than to do additional security somewhere else.

[xxqqqzme]

35. I met Theilman

on a train 2 Oakland last fall. Very interesting man.

[Stephanie]

42. Do tell

Can you share any more?

[dennis4868]

9. Agencies that were ignored....

Department of the Energy
Defense Intelligence Agency
CIA (many times)
Army Intelligence
UNMOVIC
IAEA
Department of State

It gets me so mad when someone says that WE ALL GOT IT WRONG.....NOT TRUE!

[jokerman93]

10. Not True and

Not true and also entirely besides point:

The point being that certain very specific individuals with names and titles ultimately or previously made the decision to launch an invasion on a sovereign nation and are responsible for all the repercussions thereof.

[Sugarbleus]

11. Great Point JM!! n/t

[DesignGirl]

25. Saw this last night

On 60 Minutes II last night they had an interview with poeple who worked for Powell and at the Oak Ridge TN nuclear plant. Very good information

Link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/14/60II/main577975.shtml

[grasswire]

12. very important -- look at this

Blumenthal's choice of words is stunning:

"Precisely because of the qualms the administration encountered, it created a rogue intelligence operation..."

He has introduced the word ROGUE into the conversation.

The administration created a ROGUE INTELLIGENCE OPERATION.

[jokerman93]

13. Good call Grasswire

"Rogue" is a powerful term of denunciation. It's a kind of banishment from the center of political power. Blumenthal is framing the debate here. Let's see if it takes hold. No. In fact let's help it take hold by using "rogue" as a descriptor when appropriate -- which is often enough.

Great call.

[Stephanie]

14. Rogue Intelligence Operation = OSP | see chart, below

[mrdmk]

16. Your chart is making me dizzy

We all know everyone was taking to one another and they all knew each other from the past. But it comes down to the man on the top, Mr. Bush Jr. He is the one who put this mess together and nobody else. Bottom line.

[0007]

20. You gotta be kidding!

junior is only a front.

[mrdmk]

36. No! Mr. Bush Jr. is at the top

Vote Mr. Bush Jr. out of office and the rest of them are out of the White House. Period.

[Snappy]

18. COVER UP

Will it work?

[GoBlue]

19. OH yes there was!

Bush is the poster child for a miserable failure of intelligence.

[robbedvoter]

21. But, but, but...Kerry said Tenet must go!

I am confused!
http://robbedvoter.forclark.com/story/2004/1/30/9319/54910

[JNelson6563]

23. more enabling

what a surprise this happening between frat brothers! ;-)

Julie

[Sinistrous]

27. I would like to see some evidence of Kerry's commitment to prosecuting

the many, many, many treasonous, uncostitutional, and criminal acts of the Bush Cabal. I'm sure one of the Kerry supporters here can provide citations.

After all, the first step in restoring the United States is to flush out the traitors, looters, and those who willfully mislead, not only the people but the Congress itself.

[mrdmk]

37. If Kerry is elected

I really doubt that will happen. Kerry voted for No Child Left Behind Act, The Homeland Security Act, The Patriot Act, and the Iraq War. Kerry will not go after the Bush Jr administration because it would undermine the credibility of the U.S. Government and what it stands for.

[Sinistrous]

39. Being an unrepentant idealist, I must reply that

the credibility of the U.S. Government has been thoroughly trashed by the bush cabal, and that only rigorous prosecution will cleanse the record. However, until shown otherwise, I agree with your conclusion that Kerry has no intention of doing the job.

[Sterling]

46. And that drives me nuts.

Kerry getting the nod has taken the wind out of my sails. I actually had some hope we might be on the right track.

[Sterling]

48. The only times he had the spotlight in taking on the BFEE

They walked.

[ignatius]

22. Here is a timeline of various comments that show intelligence

was ignored. In particular, both Cheney and Powell in 01 are on record as saying Saddam was contained.

http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=24889

"I think we ought to declare a success. We have kept him contained, kept him in the box." He added Saddam "is unable to project conventional power against his neigbors" and that "he threatens not the United States." Colin Powell speaking on 2-23 and 2-24, 2001

[fjc]

24. Jay Bookman echoes Blumenthal

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/bookman

[calimary]

32. I just wrote to Jay Bookman - [e-mail]

Dear Jay,

I am SO gratified to read your latest commentary "Bush Bullied CIA..." What is MOST gratifying is actually seeing this in the media, for a change. As a former reporter myself (retired from the AP in 1996), I am utterly ashamed of my former profession and its refusal to question this gang in the White House, or to hold them accountable. It's the worst I've ever seen. Bush is the worst president I've ever seen. The so-called "journalism" perpetrated during his regime is also the worst I've ever seen.

THANK you for telling the truth. The only bad intelligence is in the "brains" of Bush and those advising him. The CIA and other intel sources did their jobs (as did the weapons inspectors). The ROGUE intel spinners and book-cookers at the Office of Special Plans delivered the bad initelligence. And they, and their bosses, deserve the blame.

PLEASE continue to resist the lies and the cover-ups.

PLEASE continue telling it like it is.


It is VITALLY important that we contact these writers who tell the truth, and thank them, and encourage them to do MORE! The more this gets into the media, the more wind will be taken out of the sails of the bushies, precisely when we need this to happen - as they crank up their defense/offense with that huge war chest. They're gonna fight back with everything they've got. We need to keep 'em on the ropes.

Note: Jay Bookman's email - it's right at the top of the article, near his photo. These email addresses usually accompany the articles or author's names. USE 'EM!!!

If they think we don't care, they won't, either.

[malachi]

26. Blumenthal echoes Hersh

Oct '03 article in the New Yorker, "Stovepipe". Great read regarding this subject.

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?031027fa_fact

[maggrwaggr]

29. exactly who takes responsibility for invading Iraq now?

all I see is fingerpointing.

Nobody in this administration accepts responsibility for anything. Hell, Bush would shit in the toilet and say it wasn't his.

[BigDaddyLove]

51. I've been wondering the same thing.......

I watched Charlie Rose this evening and all he and his guests were talking about was how this whole thing was an intelligence failure.

When is anyone gonna come out and say that the Bush Administration knew that Iraq had no WMD's because the CIA told them Iraq didn't have them, that they never expected to find them and that they lied through their fucking teeth so that we could invade another country?

Gee, it's really great to have the 'adults' in charge isn't it?

[calimary]

33. Here's what I wrote to Blumenthal just now:

Dear Mr. Blumenthal -

You are definitely dear to us among the "Silenced Majority"!

THANK YOU for the commentary "There Was No Failure of Intelligence" in the Guardian. I read it online, and cheered! It made my day! Why isn't this on the front page EVERYWHERE????

It is most gratifying to see the truth getting out, finally! It is most gratifying to see the courage of folks like you, who are telling it like it is. I am SO tired of the spinners, and the enablers of that spin, all over our media. As a former reporter myself (retired from the AP in 1996), I'm ashamed of my former profession. They've become lapdogs instead of watch dogs. Thank heavens you've not been so tainted.

MY DEEPEST APPRECIATION!!! (YES, I'M SHOUTING!!!)

Sincerely,

(signed)
an online reader in Los Angeles - and one of many in mushrooming numbers of angry Democrats!

Folks: note - Blumenthal's email address is included at the bottom of the Guardian article. USE IT!! Tell him you saw this and that he's correct, and that you appreciate his truth-telling!

[e-mail]

If they think we don't care, they won't, either.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

45. Just sent my thanks to Sidney. "Feels good!" n/t

[spanone]

50. I agree One Hundred Percent.