Posted on 06/18/2004 11:34:28 PM PDT by Destro
US “KNEW NOTHING” OF RUSSIAN WARNING
19.6.2004. 13:45:23
The US says a Russian warning on possible Iraqi attacks did not pass through the State Department.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russian secret services had informed Washington following the September 11, 2001, attacks that Saddam Hussein was planning to strike the United States.
The information "wasn't communicated to this building, even at the secretary's level," said State Department spokesman Adam Ereli.
"I don't, from the State Department, have any information to share with you about that, because it didn't come through us," he said.
"I would refer you to the services in question."
Mr Putin's surprise comments came just two days after a September 11 commission in Washington concluded there was no link between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda, one of the justifications used by US President George W Bush for invading Iraq.
The Russian leader's claims apparently support Mr Bush's position.
When asked if the United States had used the Russian warning as part of its justification for going to war, Mr Ereli said, "I don't know what this information is."
He also said he did not know if the information had been communicated to US Secretary of State Colin Powell through his Russian counterpart at the time, Igor Ivanov.
Mr Powell made a long presentation before the UN Security Council on February 5, 2003 laying out an expansive list of justifications for going to war, but did not mention the Russian intelligence.
While Mr Putin said the regime of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had prepared terrorist attacks after the September 11 strikes, he did not have intelligence on specific terrorist acts by Iraqis.
SOURCE: World News
The Russians have not trusted the State Dept since the Kosovo war. They fear that if Kerry becomes president the State dept will resume its drive to take away Russia's near abroad - resumed support for the Chechens, Balkan Muslim extremists, etc.
Russia might want to nuke Washington before the Dems take office because Kerry will RESTART the covert war against Russia that Clinton started and Bush put a freeze on after 9/11.
I work with two retired career diplomats, one of whose spouse still works at State. I can affirm with all seriousness that the majority of State employees see GWB as a greater "threat" than our true enemies, who are are enemies soley because of GWB's "unilateralism". God help us.
Vladimir called George personally just before 9/11 and told him about the assassination of the Afghanistan leader by al-Qaeda posing as journalists. He thought it presaged something and was worried.
Their relationship and Bush's understanding of Putin's economic worries is why the word on Iraq was to "forgive Russia, ignore Germany and punish France."
I also heard tonight that GWB personally thanked the Russian intelligence agents who provided the information. This info did not come through the state dept - typical liberal Kerry mindset & stupidity that would presume such sensitive info would be passed through diplomatic channels.
You know something is up when the State Department spokesman Adam Ereli says such a thing in such a manner rather than saying - I don't know any of the details at the moment that I can comment on, etc. Instead the statement is made to seem as if the State Dept is rebuking Bush/Putin.
Where did you hear that?
People forget the lines from his 9/11 speech to Congress, about "secret even in success."
The man's word can be trusted. We went to Iraq for **** good reasons. And the Brits still stand by their info on Saddam trying to buy uranium in Africa, whatever the pinkos at the state department say.
I am hoping that at the appropriate time Bush will go back through his post 9-11 speech reminding voters how he said it would be difficult, he said there would be both public and secrete successes, he said there would be both military and diplomatic efforts etc.
I heard that on a radio news update this afternoon ... our local talk radio station but it was a CBS news update at the top of the hour.
I'm looking forward to the debates. ;-)
Good enough confirmation of the source for me. Thanks.
If I've not learned anything else from FR, I've learned to question statements and inquire about sources. It's always a good idea ... and quite often it stops liberals in their tracks when you ask them for sources of their spewings ... :-)
Pat Roberstson was right. The State Department should be nuked. :)
Sorry, I disagree. Pat Robertson is an extremist! Of the thousands of employees who work at State, there are maybe two or three who are pro-American. Let's not nuke them -- we need all the help we can get. LOL.
I guess even the Aussie press is biased. What a horribly misleading title.
Ok, let's not nuke them. How about they all have to do a one year stint in Abu-Graib, on the condition that a few of San Fran's most notorious S+M clubs run their ward?
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