I thought he went to Niger in 2002? Did he go twice
Yes, he went twice.
February 19 2002
The CIA Counterproliferation Division (CPD) holds a meeting at CIA headquarters with Joe Wilson. In attendance are intelligence analysts from both the CIA and the State Department's INR. At the beginning of the meeting Valerie Plame introduces Wilson, then leaves after three minutes. The purpose of the meeting it to discuss the merits of sending Wilson to Niger to verify or negate the reports that Iraq was seeking to purchase uranium from Niger.[10] He is asked to attend because of his expertise on Africa and his knowledge of the African uranium trade, gained during his years at the Clinton White House.
This meeting in a windowless conference room opens with a mention of Mr. Cheney's inquiry about the African connection to Iraq. During the course of that meeting, officials raised the possibility of his traveling to Niger and told him they would contact him with a decision.
February 20
Wilson is asked and accepts the mission to Niger and is provided talking points for use in his inquiries in Niger.
February 21
Wilson leaves for Niger. During his trip, current and former Niger officials Wilson talks to say they were unaware of any contract being signed with Iraq. Wilson finds no evidence of uranium purchase. (Wilson 452) [11]
March 2002
Wilson returns from Niger's capital Niamey in early March.
Wilson delivers his [verbal] report to CIA regarding the suspected uranium deal stating that it was "highly doubtful" any transfer of uranium took place. Wilson's report does mention that one former Niger official told him he had been urged by an unidentified businessman to meet with an Iraqi trade delegation in June 1999. This former official interpreted that overture as an invitation to discuss uranium sales. (Wilson 452) [12].
http://www.dkosopedia.com/index.php?title=Before_the_leak:_1988_-_2002&printable=yes
February-March 2002
Marine Gen. Carlton W. Fulford, Jr., then-deputy commander of the U.S. European Command said he came away from Niger "assured" that the supply of "yellowcake" was kept secure by a French consortium. Fulford was asked by the U.S. ambassador to Niger, Barbro Owens-Kirkpatrick, to join her at the meeting with Niger's President Mamadou Tandja on Feb. 24, 2002. "I was asked to impress upon the president the importance that the yellowcake in Niger be under control," Fulford said. "I did that. He assured me. He said the mining operations were handled through a French consortium" and therefore out of the Niger government's control. Owens-Kirkpatrick, reached by phone, declined to comment.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A56336-2003Jul14?language=printer
Ah!, French security!!
The Intelligence Committeee mentions a Navy report that enriched uranium is being stored in a particular warehouse in Niger. When the warehouse is searched nearly a month later it is empty.