CIA Finds No Evidence Hussein Sought to Arm Terrorists

Washington Post ^ | 11/16/03

[areafiftyone]

The CIA's search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq has found no evidence that former president Saddam Hussein tried to transfer chemical or biological technology or weapons to terrorists, according to a military and intelligence expert.

Anthony Cordesman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, provided new details about the weapons search and Iraqi insurgency in a report released Friday. It was based on briefings over the past two weeks in Iraq from David Kay, the CIA representative who is directing the search for unconventional weapons in Iraq; L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. civil administrator there; and military officials.

"No evidence of any Iraqi effort to transfer weapons of mass destruction or weapons to terrorists," Cordesman wrote of Kay's briefing. "Only possibility was Saddam's Fedayeen [his son's irregular terrorist force] and talk only."

[First_Salute]

I am given to understand, that the C.S.I.S. was Dr. Ray Cline's post-C.I.A. organization. The late Dr. Cline sounded like a smart fellow, but even he made mistakes:

At: http://www.kimsoft.com/korea/dr-cline.htm

Dr. Ray S. Cline, the key CIA analyst on Korea from 1949 to 1952, passed away on 15 March, 1996 in Arlington, Virginia. He was responsible for clanking out monthly "Estimate of the World Situation" on sensitive areas. Korea was covered now and then. Referring to his failure to spot Kim Ilsung's invasion of S Korea, Cline admitted that "Mostly I simply wrote down analytical comments based on my reading of newspapers and periodical literature, adding items from the research analysts wherever possible." Dr. Ray Cline is assumed to be the author of the infamous CIA report on Korea, issued only a few days prior to the invasion:

US Central Intelligence Agency: Current Capabilities of the North Korean Regime, Office of Research and Estimates 18-50 (19 June 1950) ...

As shown in the extracts below, the CIA estimates were off by as much as 150% on the low side. This error enhanced the US confidence that the S Korean Army could repel any invasion from North. Cline claimed that MacArthur kept the CIA out of Japan and Korea. Later in 1960-1962, he made significant contributions by correctly assessing the Soviet missile sites in Cuba and also publishing Nikita S. Krushchev's secret speech which denounced Stalin.

"N Korea suffers from a shortage of skilled administrative personnel and from weaknesses in its economy and its official Party organizations. There is widespread, although passive, popular discontent with the Communist government. Despite these weaknesses, however, the regime has, with Soviet assistance, clearly demonstrated an ability to continue its control and development of northern Korea."

"The northern Korean regime is also capable, in pursuit of its major external aim of extending control over southern Korea, of continuing and increasing its support of the present program of propaganda, infiltration, sabotage, subversion, and guerrilla operations against southern Korea. This program will not be sufficient in itself, however, to cause a collapse of the southern Korean regime and extension of Communist control over the south so along as US economic and military aid to southern Korea is not substantially reduced or seriously dissipated."

[snip]

[areafiftyone]

Thank you for the link. I am so sick of the Washington Post and the NY Times and their Bush-hating journalism. They make me sick.

[LibWhacker]

First, it's a lie as seamole's post proves and, second, yesterday we had the big CIA Bombshell: Saddam Financed Lead 9/11 Hijacker, making it irrelevant. So it's an irrelevant lie. I hate the lying, irrelevant bastards at the Washington Post!

[InterceptPoint]

This is just the liberal media's first response to the damaging evidence presented in the Weekly Standard article based on the leaked DOD memo dated 27 October 2003. That memo clearly demonstrates the existence of long term ties between Saddam and al Queda. The WP article is designed to provide ammunition for the Dems to downplay the DOD memo which is based on CIA, NSA and DIA reports and seems to me to be overwelming evidence that Saddam was cooperating with Osama over at least the period from 1991 to 2003.

[witnesstothefall]

Only possibility was Saddam's Fedayeen [his son's irregular terrorist force] and talk only.

That's a highly political (as opposed to analytical) statement. It's also noteable that the Post is tripping all over itself to publish the mere opinions (as opposed to facts) of a private citizen as the basis of this article.

[metesky]

bttt

[capt. norm]

Quite obviously the Post is generating some talking points for the Democrats.

There is absolutely nothing new in this article, just a twisted presentation of information that has been hashed and rehashed through the press that laast few months.If this is all they could come up with. most of it already refuted, it's pretty pathetic.

[StriperSniper]

No evidence Saddam nuked Cincinnati

No, that was what Kucinich efectively did to Cleveland, but do't expect them to write about that. ;-)

[StriperSniper]

do't = don't

Doh!

[NYC GOP Chick]

Oh, OK, if the Washington Pest says so, it must be true. I suppose they got their insights from Joe "Look at meeeeeeeeeeee!" Wilson...

[gatorbait]

Anthony Cordesman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies,


Cordesman is one of Clinton's former advisors, folks. Take this article from there and recall his little group is a left leaning "think" tank.

[HarryCaul]

It's true. The headline is very misleading, to the point that it has to be intentional.

"Outside Analyst Cordesman Finds No Evidence Hussein Sought to Arm Terrorists" would be a far more honest headline.

Taking one analysts opinions and trumpeting them as officially released findings is more than a bit dishonest.

[bmwcyle]

Another leftest straw.

[areafiftyone]

What's going on with Fox News. They are saying the Pentagon denies the link right now. I just heard it on Fox.

[mewzilla]

Wish I could tell you. I can't bear to watch FNC on the weekends.

[Clara Lou]

This is just my opinin, but, since the war, I see Saddamm Hussein as a big-talking guy, trying to build a serious image for himself, both within his country and without. All that big talk caused to US to call his bluff, and all he had was two deuces. Shame on our intelligence organizations-- thanks to Clinton, in part. That said, the Iraqi people should absolutely rejoice and thank the US for ridding them of the maniac/psycho and his progeny.

[areafiftyone]

Me too. I only watch Fox and Friends during the week. The weekends are horrible.

[William Terrell]

It appears that Rantbury posted the Post's article in full. May they expect a suit?

[mewzilla]

That said, with this piece of, er...journalism, the WP has sunk to a new low.

[moneyrunner]

Since we now know that the CIA can’t find it’s ass with both hands, I now dismiss any article that includes the words “CIA Finds No Evidence…”

[Amelia]

Although there was no evidence of chemical weapons production, Kay said he had located biological work "under cover of new agricultural facility" that showed "advances in developing dry storable powder forms of botulinum toxin," Cordesman wrote.

Well, I wonder what they were planning to do with that?

[sonsofliberty2000]

It's the compost. When I see that name in the source I expect half-truths, blinding bias, and the kind of flagerant lies that make you feel all warm inside.

Patriot Paradox

[Semper Paratus]

storable powder forms of botulinum toxin," Cordesman wrote.
Well, I wonder what they were planning to do with that?

I got it! Sadaam was going to corner the Botox supply market.

[Amelia]

Sadaam was going to corner the Botox supply market.

Dang! Why didn't I think of that! ;-)

[Ordinary_American]

Although there was no evidence of chemical weapons production, Kay said he had located biological work "under cover of new agricultural facility" that showed "advances in developing dry storable powder forms of botulinum toxin," Cordesman wrote.

Well, I wonder what they were planning to do with that?

This is significant. There is little reason to produce dry, storable powder forms of botulinum toxin except for biowarfare or bioterrorism purposes.

[roses of sharon]

Thank God President Bush did not depend entirely on the predictability of a madman.

[Amelia]

This is significant. There is little reason to produce dry, storable powder forms of botulinum toxin except for biowarfare or bioterrorism purposes.

No, no, it means nothing. Didn't you read the headline? ;-)

[Angelus Errare]

I appreciate the link, though I *am* Dan Darling ;)

[Ben Hecks]

"Author: Walter Pincus"

I guessed that before checking the source of the article. His name has been popping up a lot recently.

[jackbill]

Author: Walter Pincus

I've learned to take with a bag of salt anything written by Pincus, Dana Priest and Dana Milbank.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

I am sure that the Washington Post could hear a shot, run into the room, see Clinton holding a gun, smoke coming out of the barrel, a dead woman and the Headline would read No Evidence of Clinton involvement.

[gatorbait]

Thanks Harry, you're right.You know the Compost is NEVER going to use a source that does not back its weltanschung.
It is a lot like the Center for Science in the Public Interest, these folks have a neat name a fax machine and fit in the leftist mindset.

Cordesman's little group of seditionists is exactly the same thing.

[nuffsenuff]

Cute. The Washington Post trying to do some damage control. How sweet.

[Grampa Dave]

Ever since the Compost got by with the blatant lies about Deep Throat, the Compost feels that it can lie about GW 24/7/365 without being challenged.

This is just the latest example of the Compost's lies about Iraq, $oddomite and GW.

How much did Soros pay for this trash to printed?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

To the terminally naive Liberals, absense of evidence is evidence of absense.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

This is just the liberal media's first response to the damaging evidence presented in the Weekly Standard article based on the leaked DOD memo dated 27 October 2003.

Yes.

And now, a message from the spiritual mentor of the Washington Compost and the NY Slimes:

"Propaganda is a means to an end. Its purpose is to lead the people to an understanding that will allow them to willingly and without internal resistance devote themselves to the tasks and goals of a superior leadership. If propaganda is to succeed, it must know what it wants. It must keep a clear and firm goal in mind, and seek the appropriate means and methods to reach that goal."

Joseph Goebbels, Nuremberg, 1934

[mewzilla]

I read that. It was a fine piece of writing and analysis.

[Mo1]

Guess the WP didn't get a copy of the 16 page memo?

That or they didn't want to read it for obvious reasons

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

"Outside Analyst Cordesman Finds No Evidence Hussein Sought to Arm Terrorists" would be a far more honest headline.

"Ex-Clinton Administration Official with an Anti-Bush Agenda Claims to Know What the CIA Believes About Evidence Regarding Hussein's Seeeking to Arm Terrorists"

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Guess the WP didn't get a copy of the 16 page memo?

They filed their report here:

[FourtySeven]

It appears that Rantbury posted the Post's article in full. May they expect a suit?

LOL......I was thinking the same thing.

[cake_crumb]

This is total BS. The ONLY conclusion the CIA came to is that the memo they sent to The Senate Select Comittee on Intelligence was not 100% confirmed intelligence and that no conclusions were drawn. PERIOD. I said this morning the thing was leaked as the first part of Rockefeller and other Senate Dems plan to turn US intelligence into a political platform.

looks like I was right.

[pctech]

I was just thinking, now why in the hell would someone put out this kind of article when we already know Hussien did bankroll these buttheads.