http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/10/21/fernandez.statement/WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A senior State Department official told Arab satellite station Al Jazeera on Saturday that there is a strong possibility history will show the United States displayed "arrogance" and "stupidity" in its handling of the Iraq war.
Alberto Fernandez gave the Qatar-based station the 35-minute interview from Washington, where he is director of the Office of Press and Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
"History will decide what role the United States played," he said in Arabic, based on CNN translations. "And, God willing, we tried to do our best in Iraq. "But I think there is a big possibility (inaudible) for extreme criticism and because undoubtedly there was arrogance and stupidity from the United States in Iraq."
Responding to Fernandez's comments, a senior Bush administration official said: "I can only assume his remarks must have been mistranslated. Those comments obviously don't reflect our policy."