Iraq Inquiry asks to question George Bush's senior officials

[babylonsister]

Iraq Inquiry asks to question George Bush's senior officials

The Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq War could take an explosive new twist after it emerged that leading figures in George Bush's administration have been asked to give evidence to it.

By Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor
Published: 9:00PM GMT 20 Mar 2010

Requests are understood to have been made to Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld and


Sources in Washington said the inquiry sent out emails "about three weeks ago" to senior officials in Mr Bush's government including, it is believed, the former president himself.

Other requests are understood to have been made to Dick Cheney, Mr Bush's vice-president, Condoleezza Rice, the former secretary of state, Donald Rumsfeld, the former US defence secretary, and Stephen Hadley, an ex-national security adviser – as well as to their deputies and senior assistants.

Members of Sir John Chilcot's panel are believed to be willing to travel to the US to take evidence – almost certainly in private – on the administration's policies between the 2003 invasion of Iraq and 2009.

While the most senior figures are reluctant to give evidence, Washington sources claim about 10 former officials, most involved in the post-invasion period, have agreed to do so.

The surprise development adds to the chances of Sir John's inquiry producing a "smoking gun" on the key questions of whether Britain and the US adequately prepared for the conflict and whether it was justified under international law.

Interviews with US officials – even held in secret – could play a major part in Sir John's final report, expected by the end of this year.

more...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7488615/Iraq-Inquiry-asks-to-question-George-Bushs-senior-officials.html

[blm]

1. The 'inquiry' needs to re-examine Iraqgate, another aspect of BCCI whitewashed for Poppy Bush

by his Dem successor. Open the books on BCCI and the entire world will benefit.

[spanone]

2. why not include george the clueless?

[babylonsister]

4. They did...

Sources in Washington said the inquiry sent out emails "about three weeks ago" to senior officials in Mr Bush's government including, it is believed, the former president himself.

[spanone]

5. a m e n

[Orsino]

3. "Executive Privilege." Next! n/t

[babylonsister]

6. That might not fly overseas (no pun intended). nt