Typical of the Left-Justified Media to intentionally distort what he said.
Posted on 10/04/2004 11:43:05 PM PDT by TeleStraightShooter
No. 990-04 IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2004 A Statement From Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld
A question I answered today at an appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations regarding ties between Al Qaeda and Iraq regrettably was misunderstood.
I have acknowledged since September 2002 that there were ties between Al Qaeda and Iraq.
This assessment was based upon points provided to me by then CIA Director George Tenet to describe the CIA's understanding of the Al Qaeda-Iraq relationship.
Today at the Council, I even noted that "when I'm in Washington, I pull out a piece of paper and say 'I don't know, because I'm not in that business, but I'll tell you what the CIA thinks,' and I read it."
The CIA conclusions in that paper, which I discussed in a news conference as far back as September, 2002, note that:
* We do have solid evidence of the presence in Iraq of al Qaeda members, including some that have been in Baghdad.
* We have what we consider to be very reliable reporting of senior level contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda going back a decade, and of possible chemical and biological agent training.
* We have what we believe to be credible information that Iraq and al Qaeda have discussed safe haven opportunities in Iraq.
* We have what we consider to be credible evidence that al Qaeda leaders have sought contacts in Iraq who could help them acquire weapons of mass destruction capabilities.
* We do have one report indicating that Iraq provided unspecified training relating to chemical and/or biological matters for al Qaeda members.
I should also note that the 9/11 Commission report described linkages between Al Qaeda and Iraq as well.
Typical of the Left-Justified Media to intentionally distort what he said.
OK He can keep his job...
Was it cBS that broke the story...
So this is what the CIA stands by. Why isn't this common knowledge in the MSM.
B.S., his words were twisted and with intent.
A question I answered today at an appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations regarding ties between Al Qaeda and Iraq regrettably was misunderstood. I have acknowledged since September 2002 that there were ties between Al Qaeda and Iraq. This assessment was based upon points provided to me by then CIA Director George Tenet to describe the CIA's understanding of the Al Qaeda-Iraq relationship. Today at the Council, I even noted that "when I'm in Washington, I pull out a piece of paper and say 'I don't know, because I'm not in that business, but I'll tell you what the CIA thinks,' and I read it." The CIA conclusions in that paper, which I discussed in a news conference as far back as September, 2002, note that: * We do have solid evidence of the presence in Iraq of al Qaeda members, including some that have been in Baghdad. * We have what we consider to be very reliable reporting of senior level contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda going back a decade, and of possible chemical and biological agent training. * We have what we believe to be credible information that Iraq and al Qaeda have discussed safe haven opportunities in Iraq. * We have what we consider to be credible evidence that al Qaeda leaders have sought contacts in Iraq who could help them acquire weapons of mass destruction capabilities. * We do have one report indicating that Iraq provided unspecified training relating to chemical and/or biological matters for al Qaeda members. I should also note that the 9/11 Commission report described linkages between Al Qaeda and Iraq as well. |
They connected the dots in 1998 but Senator Kerry and MSM can't seem to connect the dots in 2004.
Here is an easy to read chart of what the media was saying pre-911 (and after): Connect the Dots...Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.
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You know, the Bush Administration better damn start singing from the same page of Iraq/War on Terror music, and they better do it yesterday. These guys have bumbled their message consistently, and their bumbling is costing them public confidence and votes. From the get go the 'Rats and paleomedia have tried to decouple Iraq from the War on Terror, and Bush et al. help them do so every time they mumble and stumble.
Perhaps I should clarify and finish my post with "by the media" CNN, to place focus on it.
christie, thanks for your intense research.
I saw the CFR mtg on TV and Rummy DID say there was NO connection. He wasn't misunderstood, he was mistaken.
Thank God for the horses mouth, for the MSM would not place misstatement in their reporting.
Poor, and biased reporting, for they know, and they should have reported it that way but didn't.
Rumsfeld corrects the record: Iraq and AQ DID have significant connections.
problem is, i've seen the videotape of his talk before the c.f.r. and he said that he had seen no link between al qaeda and saddam. he said it. in those words. in front of the cameras. i was shocked and startled and hoped he was wrong, but there is no denying that he said it.
CNN this morning reporting that Bremer stated that we did not have enough troops in Iraq and they were not prepared for the looting and lawlessness when we reached Baghdad and that set the climate for today's problems.
I am paraphrasing because I was sat there in stunned disbelief at what I was hearing.
This info was characterized as good ammunition for Edwards to use against Cheney.
Rumsfeld Rocks!
But he should have gone further in explaining that he is not the CIA as it is their job to find the links and according to the CIA as well as the 9/11 commission, links did exist.
Thus, he left himself open to riducle by the MSM
Just as I speculated yesterday--that there was something being withheld in that piece. Yeah, the truth.
>>I saw the CFR mtg on TV and Rummy DID say there was NO connection. He wasn't misunderstood, he was mistaken.<<
Do you have a direct quote?
I'm in a fight with a Lib SIL and I know this will come up. I need to back up my position. If I don't have the quote, I woun't know what to say.
Salmon Pak.
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