Bush to Consult Kay Before Iraq Probe

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) said he will order an independent investigation into intelligence failures in Iraq (news - web sites) but will first consult with former chief weapons inspector David Kay.

Trying to quiet mounting election-year criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike, the White House had indicated earlier that Bush would name an independent, bipartisan inquiry into the Iraq problem and gaps in other areas, such as secretive regimes like Iran and North Korea (news - web sites) and stateless groups such as terrorists.

Bush on Monday defended his decision to go to war on intelligence that Kay now says was erroneous. Kay has concluded that Iraq did not possess weapons of mass destruction.

"I want all the facts. We do know that Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) had the intent and capabilities to cause great harm we know he was a danger ... He slaughtered thousands of people," the president said.

Bush said the commission would "analyze where we stand, what we can do better as we fight this war against terror." He said he would sit down with Kay soon to get a briefing.

Kay threw the administration's rationale for war in Iraq in doubt with his determination that Saddam did not have the weapons of mass destruction that the United States had insisted he possessed.

Kay told Congress last week that "it turns out we were all wrong, probably" about the Iraqi threat.

The president did not set a timetable for the investigation to report its findings, and he sidestepped a question about whether the country was owed an explanation before the November elections.

Bush's decision to go to an outside commission comes amid assertions that America's credibility is being undermined by uncertainty over flawed intelligence used as a basis for invading Iraq.

He initially reacted coolly to setting up such a body, then decided during the weekend to go forward. By establishing the commission himself, Bush will have greater control over its membership and mandate.

A senior White House official discussing the situation on grounds of anonymity said the body would be patterned after the Warren Commission, which conducted a 10-month investigation that concluded in 1964 that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing President Kennedy.

In appointing the members, Bush will draw heavily from experts familiar with problems in intelligence, the White House official said, describing them as "distinguished citizens who have served their country in the past."

Sen. Jon Corzine, D-N.J., whose measure to set up a similar bipartisan commission to investigate prewar intelligence was defeated in the Senate last July, said any investigative panel must be able to probe the collection and analysis of intelligence as well as the use of the information, "including whether there was any misrepresentation or exaggeration of the intelligence."

"We must not lose sight of the big picture," Corzine said in a statement Sunday. "Americans are fighting and dying in Iraq because of what the administration told us about the intelligence."

Lawmakers from both parties say the intelligence flap has diluted America's credibility.

"The issue is not just shortcomings of U.S. intelligence," Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Sunday on CNN's "Late Edition, but "the credibility of who we are around the world and the trust of our government and our leaders."

Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., agreed, telling CNN: "America's credibility's at stake. This isn't about politics anymore."

The White House also has not decided on a deadline for the investigation — a sensitive issue since its findings could become an issue in the presidential campaign.

"That's not something you want to do from horseback," Kay told "Fox News Sunday. "It's going to be a time-consuming process. Whether it's going to take six months or nine months, I have no idea at this point."

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the commission must start investigating soon. Delaying any report until after the election would be a "big mistake," he said on Fox.

David Albright, a former weapons inspector, told The Associated Press he feared the administration might try to use the commission as a way to delay judgments about the intelligence community and the administration's use of the information it receives.

"The bottom line for them (the Bush administration) is to delay the day of reckoning about their use of the weapons of mass destruction information," Albright said.

"David Kay can blame the CIA (news - web sites) and say, `Oh, I made all these comments based on what I heard from the intelligence community.' President Bush can't do that. He's the boss."

" Kay threw the administration's rationale for war in Iraq in doubt with his determination that Saddam did not have the weapons of mass destruction that the United States had insisted he possessed."

Actually, I believe his exact words were that he didn't believe there were large stockpiles of WMDs. Interesting that the press leaves that out of most reports.

Actually, I believe his exact words were that he didn't believe there were large stockpiles of WMDs. Interesting that the press leaves that out of most reports.

Yes - he also said he believed that what was there had probably been moved out of country. Not to mention the on-going programs to develop them...

"Capabilities." Better than Ashcroft's "evil biology". Bush needs to attack Kay's "weapon" definition for, in the least, ot help explain what the heck he means by "weapon."

Might ask Kay about what he told Miniter on anthrax too.

" Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb...( insert Hagel's usual DNC talking points)...
Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., agreed "

Hagel and Biden appear together so often,mouthing the same anti Bush rhetoric,I am beginning to wonder if they share a brain.Correction-a fraction of a brain.
I taped and watched as much of Kay's testimony as was shown on tv. His testimony was very powerful and pro war and anti Saddam.My only complaint was that Kay was usually able to avoid falling into the Democrat's attempt for an anti Bush soundbite,but,on the formation of a committee to investigate,he was not as deft. Sen Roberts,R-KS was outraged and yelling-not at Kay,but generally that the Democrats were giving the impression that no one was investigating intel failures,when in fact,there were quite a few already doing so. The Democrats on the committee were absolutely vile in their political agenda and lack of concern about WMD. Anyone who thinks this crowd should be intrusted with national security should be forced to watch this hearing.

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