> Don't you think it's rather interesting that Joe Wilson's trip to Niger (Jan. of 2002) coicides with the Italian's alleged possession of these documents.
Good observation. Any other Italian angles to this that have come up?
> Maybe Mr. Wilson was brewing more than just green tea during his Niger visit. Do you by chance know who that four-star General was who preceded Wilson on the Niger investigation?
Just found it: Carlton W. Fulford, Jr.
http://blogs.salon.com/0002551/2003/07/15.html It's Not Just Joe Wilson's Word Anymore
Four-star general Carlton W. Fulford, Jr., went to Niger to check up on the country's uranium supply. And guess what? "Fulford's impressions, while not conclusive, were similar to those of former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson, who traveled to Niger for the CIA in February 2002 to interview Niger officials about the uranium claim and came away convinced it was not true."
I wonder if he's the same 4-star general referenced here?
http://www.youvebeenleft.com/journal.html Novak said his sources were 2 members of the administration. Doesn't this REEK of Karl Rove's underhanded revenge tactics? Well, the CIA isn't playing Bush's little game and is looking for an investigation of the White House. Finally, maybe we can get some of these people under oath... so they'll either be forced to TELL THE TRUTH, or they'll LIE and we can lock them up. I bet an investigation will turn up more than just blow jobs in the Oval Office.
# posted by max : 1:15 PM
Even a FOUR STAR GENERAL is critical of Bush's Iraq "plan".
There's an embedded link there, but unfortunately it leads nowhere. At any rate, here's some more on Fulford:
http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/0/9d5b147b7e874ef98525680b000df4d7?OpenDocument&Click= United States Marine Corps (Ret.)
General
Carlton W. Fulford Jr.
Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command
General Fulford received his commission in June 1966, following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. He also holds an M.S. degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1973). Following completion of The Basic School, Quantico, Va., and the Vietnamese Language School, he was assigned as a platoon commander with Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in the Republic of Vietnam. He was promoted to first lieutenant in October 1967, and subsequently reassigned as Commanding Officer, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines until his return from Vietnam
in June 1968.
His other FMF assignments include: Commanding Officer, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (1971-1972); Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines (1979-1980); G-3 Training Officer for the 2nd Marine Division (1980-1981); Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (1981-1982); Assistant Chief of Staff G-3 for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1987-1989); Commanding Officer, 7th Marines (1989-1991); Commanding Officer,Task Force Ripper during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm; Commanding General,4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1991-1992), Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (1994-1995), and Commanding General,I Marine Expeditionary Force (1996-1998); Commander,U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific /Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Pacific headquartered at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii (1998-1999).
His non-FMF assignments include: Company Commander, Naval Academy Preparatory School (1968-1969); Management Engineer, MCAS Yuma, Ariz.(1973-1976); Economics Instructor, U.S. Naval Academy (1977-1978); Branch Head, Training Department, HQMC (1982-1984); Strategy Planner, Forces and Strategy Branch, U.S. Pacific Command (1985-1987); Commanding General, Landing Force Training Command, Atlantic (1991-1992); Director, Training and Education Division, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (1992-1994); Commanding General Marine Corps Bases, Japan (1994-1995); Vice Director, The Joint Staff (1995-1996); Director, The Joint Staff (1999-2000); and Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command (2000-2002).
In addition to The Basic School, General Fulford graduated from the Infantry Officers Advanced Course; Command and Staff College; and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
His personal decorations include: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second award, Silver Star Medal; Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award; Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; Purple Heart Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award; Combat Action Ribbon with gold star in lieu of a second award; and the Presidential Unit Citation.
(Updated 23 January 2003, HQMC)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May1996/b052896_bt308-96.html May 28, 1996
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GENERAL OFFICER ANNOUNCEMENT
Secretary of Defense William J. Perry announced today that the President has nominated Major General Carlton W. Fulford, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general and assignment as Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force. Since June 1995, he has served as the Vice Director, Joint Staff.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May1999/b05141999_bt236-99.html May 14, 1999
GENERAL OFFICER ANNOUNCEMENT
Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen announced today that the President has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Carlton W. Fulford Jr., for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general with assignment as the director, Joint Staff. Fulford is currently serving as the commander, U.S. Marine Forces Pacific; commanding general, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific and commander, Marine Corps bases Pacific.
http://www.africanfront.com/2003-b.php Almost a year ago, in July 2002, another four-star US General, Carlton Fulford, Deputy Commander of the United States European Command, made a controversial visit to Sao Tome. Following the visit Fulford said that the US would be training the armed forces of Soa Tome. Later the Pentagon played-down his remarks and their implications. However, the new president of Sao Tome, Fradique de Menezes made capital of the fact that General Carlton Fulford had proposed to turn Sao Tome into a US naval base.
http://www.usembkigali.net/pas/press/2002/oct_Gen.html OCTOBER 28, 2002
Travel of General Carlton Fulford, Deputy Commander in Chief. U.S. European Command
General Carlton Fulford, Deputy Commander in Chief of the U.S. European Command, will be visiting the Great Lakes region and South Africa between October 27-31.
General Fulford will have meetings with heads of state and senior defense representatives in Dar-Es-Salaam and Dodoma, Tanzania; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kampala, Uganda; Kigali, Rwanda; Bujumbura, Burundi; and Pretoria, South Africa.
During this trip, General Fulford will be assessing regional security relationships in light of the recent withdrawal of foreign forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He will also raise U.S. concerns about the Burundi cease-fire negotiations and reassure the regional states of U.S. support for efforts to bring peace to Burundi.
http://www.allaboutliberia.com/june2003/230628n1.htm With War Crimes Charges Removed:
Taylor Might Yield Power
-EX US Marine General
By T. Lawrence Randall
June 28, 2003
An Ex US Marine General says President Charles Taylor might step down when pressed by West African leaders and guarantee immunity from prosecution for the war crimes charges he faces.
Retired US General Carlton Fulford, a recently retired former deputy commander of US European Command, told The Boston Globe it was unlikely that the Liberian President could step down with war crimes charges looming.
Also see:
http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/marine/marn_ref/n06en007/hearing1.htm armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/1999/990421cf.pdf