Susan Rice Says Her Benghazi Claims Were Based On Information From US Intelligence
Her unfounded comments on the deadly Benghazi attack have been globally criticized
November 21, 2019
Krishnadev Calamur
Susan Rice, Obama’s US envoy to the UN, says her comments in the immediate aftermath of the attack in September on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was based on “information provided to me by the intelligence community.” Speaking to reporters at the U.N. on Wednesday, Rice said:
“When discussing the attacks against our facilities in Benghazi, I relied solely and squarely on the information provided to me by the intelligence community. I made clear that the information was preliminary and that our investigations would give us the definitive answers. Everyone, particularly the intelligence community, has worked in good faith to provide the best assessment based on the information available. You know the FBI and the State Department’s Accountability Review Board are conducting investigations as we speak, and they will look into all aspects of this heinous terrorist attack to provide what will become the definitive accounting of what occurred.”
Making the rounds of the Sunday talk shows after the attack that claimed the lives for four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, Rice said the attack began as a “spontaneous” demonstration sparked by anger over an anti-Muslim video. She said “extremists” only joined later.
Here’s what she said Wednesday about her appearances:
“As a senior US diplomat, I agreed to a White House request to appear on the Sunday shows to talk about the full range of national security issues of the day, which at that time were primarily and particularly the protests that were enveloping and threatening many diplomatic facilities—American diplomatic facilities—around the world and Iran’s nuclear program. The attack on Benghazi—on our facilities in Benghazi—was obviously a significant piece of this.”
But Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has strongly pushed back against the claims Rice made, suggesting she gave false information in her TV remarks. He also said he will do “whatever is necessary” to block Rice if she’s nominated to be the next secretary of state.
Rice addressed that criticism, saying she hoped to discuss McCain’s concerns with the senator.
Yep Rice screwed up so bad at the UN Obama had to hide her deep in the White House to protect her ,LOL
Susan Rice was quick to tar with a broad brush the 17 US intel
agencies getting billions of tax dollars to protect American interests.
FTA——Susan Rice, Obama’s US envoy to the UN, says her comments (which were globally criticized) in the immediate aftermath of the attack in September on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was based on “information provided to me by the intelligence community.” Speaking to reporters at the U.N. Rice said:
“When discussing the attacks against our facilities in Benghazi, I relied solely and squarely on the information provided to me by the intelligence community. I made clear that the information was preliminary and that our investigations would give us the definitive answers. Everyone, particularly the intelligence community, has worked in good faith to provide the best assessment based on the information available. You know the FBI and the State Department’s Accountability Review Board are conducting investigations as we speak, and they will look into all aspects of this heinous terrorist attack to provide what will become the definitive accounting of what occurred.”
“Systemic failures” and leadership deficiencies in Washington led to grossly inadequate security for the US mission in Benghazi, which was ill-equipped for a high-threat environment.
While the ARB cleared senior officials, it found mid-level management failures and triggered resignations, ultimately recommending 29 changes.
Key Findings of the ARB Report:
<><>Systemic Failures: The report highlighted that security for the Benghazi compound was “inadequate” and that officials in Washington ignored warning signs, failing to adjust security despite a deteriorating threat environment.
<><>Leadership Shortfalls: The Board found that a lack of leadership in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and other, yet unnamed, bureaus resulted in a failure to properly assess the threats.
<><>Responsibility for Attacks: The Board concluded that responsibility for the attack lies solely with the perpetrators (terrorists), while the State Department’s failure was in providing adequate security, not in the initial attack.
<><>Security Posture: The report found that security was grossly inadequate to deal with the specific attack that occurred on September 11, 2012.
<><>Accountability and Recommendations:
Personnel Changes: Following the report, four State Department officials were relieved of their duties and placed on administrative leave; three later resigned.
Reforms: The Board made 29 recommendations, including strengthening security in high-risk posts, enhancing the role of the Diplomatic Security service, and developing better standards for temporary facilities.
<><>Congressional Criticism: Some critics, including members of Congress, argued that the ARB did not sufficiently investigate senior-level decision-making in the Obama administration.
Report Finds State Dept. at Fault for ‘Systemic Failures’ of Benghazi Security | PBS News
Dec 19, 2012 — A report released by an outside accountability review board found that the State Department was at fault for “systemic failures” ...