Journalist claims proof of WMD lies (Report Aired in UK)

AAP ^ | 9/23/03 | Paul Mulvey in London

[rwfromkansas]

not everything he says, no. But video is video. Of course, I would have to see the video.

[rwfromkansas]

will have to check into it. I don't believe everything he said and would have to see the video, but if Powell's statement is actually on tape like that, that is not good for us.

However, the Rice statement was "reportedly" made....i.e....no proof. That probably is hooey.

[dogbyte12]

The reaction from the UK should be interesting.

I must defend the White House on this one though, well Powell more so than Condi.

Powell resigned during the first Clinton term. Had been out of the intelligence loop for a good 6 years, and just in office a month when he allegedly said this.

It still doesn't excuse him for saying it, if it wasn't true, but if we don't find WMD's, it is dreadful.

I don't see Powell going on tv saying he didn't know what he was talking about in Feb 2001, Saddam did have a robust program, one that we just can't find.

Obviously, the tape either exists or doesn't. We also need to see the context. I could construe his statement to saying that his technology is frozen. He isn't doing anything new, just some of the old crap. If this gets play here though, the White House will need to address this one.

[dogbyte12]

checking the brittish media. Ruh roh. Pilger in the Mirror has a column. Money quote is here:

Powell even boasted that it was the US policy of "containment" that had effectively disarmed the Iraqi dictator - again the very opposite of what Blair said time and again. On May 15 2001, Powell went further and said that Saddam Hussein had not been able to "build his military back up or to develop weapons of mass destruction" for "the last 10 years". America, he said, had been successful in keeping him "in a box".

If he has these statements on tape, it is very very very bad.

[per loin]

The disjunctive gap between the "quotes" and his characteriztions of what they say ought alert all that Pilger cannnot be trusted.

[rwfromkansas]

I could see where one could get such an interpretation. I am hoping the stupid American press doesn't pick up on this. There is at least a chance they won't notice the report.

[pierrem15]

Mooing and chewing isn't enough. Americans demand beef.

ROTFLMAO. Ain't it the truth though?

It never ceases to amaze me what kind of patent nonsense the supposedly better educated "Europeans" will accept.

[MEG33]

Google "Inevitable Ring to the Unimaginable" written 9/13/2001.It's a "chickens came home to roost" piece about 9/11.

[Porterville]

A liberal who hates George Bush and is a gay ostriche??? Say it ain't so Joey, say it ain't so...

[rwfromkansas]

He claims in the article that Rice said we should take advantage of Sept. 11 and get Iraq and then adds his own view that she meant get Iraq's oil. That could just be the reporter reporting on Pilger, but it seems to be Pilger's claim itself!

That is definitely a twisting of the statement, if the statement was ever made and there is no video of it unlike the Powell quote.

[TheOtherOne]

this is more a wishful-thinking hit piece than a shocking expose.

Somehow, I doubt this is going to bring anything down, except readers' opinions of Pilger.

Mooing and chewing isn't enough. Americans demand beef.

Not much to add, well said.

[Fred Mertz]

In his early September speech Bush didn't once mention weapons of mass destruction.

He'll be pummelled about the head and shoulders come crunch time in the primary election cycle. And he'll have little defense to counter it.

[luckydevi]

for later

[rwfromkansas]

How awful.

I need to learn to be more cautious and to think things through before posting. I just basically read a bit into the article, gasped, and posted. Perhaps reading the entire article and then waiting 5 minutes to post would be a wise decision for me....:)

In reporting, I make sure to double-check facts before allowing something to run. But I could definitely use a "If your mother says she loves you, check it out" attitude on FR so I stop looking like a moron! I am way too gullible when not in reporting mode.

[MEG33]

You're welcome.

[BigWaveBetty]

Pilger uncovered video footage of Powell in Cairo on February 24, 2001 saying, "He (Saddam Hussein) has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbours."

Interesting. This is what Powell had to say in March 2001:

*EPF402 03/08/01
Text: Powell on U.S. Policy toward Iraq
(U.N. sanctions, no-fly zone, support Iraqi opposition) (1540)

SEC. POWELL: There are several policies really. And let me answer your question by describing three baskets of things we do. First, we work within the UN system to make sure he has not developed and put into his inventory weapons of mass destruction. That is a result of the resolutions he agreed to at the end of the Gulf War. That has nothing to do with regime overthrow. That is not a UN objective, and it is not part of the oil-for-food program or the sanctions program. Link

Should I go look for Condi's "statement" as well?

[rwfromkansas]

Thanks for getting on me. I am sure you don't believe me, but when I do do newspaper stories, I double-check the facts to ensure accuracy and get a second source for controversial things.

But, on FR, I am way too gullible and in many cases when something appears shocking at first, I just read a few lines and then post without really thinking like in this case. I need to stop doing that...

Have a great evening.

[MJY1288]

Let me get this straight.....

Paul Mulvey claims that John Pilger claims he has evidence that will bring down the Bush Administration. Mulvey claims that Pilger has seen a video of a statement made by Powell on a video tape that Saddam capabilities have been deminished and pose no real threat, and after 9/11 Bush ordered the Pentagon to explore the possibility of an attack on Iraq?

Well geezy peezy, As if anyone didn't know that we knocked out 90% of Saddam's capabilities during the 90's and that the President should explore the possibility of attacking every middle eastern country after 9/11

What a crock of sh*t this article is, the author nor the 3rd party writer didn't even interview a single person in the Bush Administration. PISS POOR JOURNALISM at best

[Diddle E. Squat]

Hey, I'm probably too hard on you and react too often, but it is because I sense that you have a good heart and tons of potential. Not that I am an expert or anything. We really do need good honest conservative journalists, and I sense that you will continue to work hard and further develop excellent instincts, the kind that only come with time and experience. Good luck.