Avoiding attacking suspected terrorist mastermind (Zarqawi: NBC blames Bush)

MSNBC ^ | 3/2/04 | Jim Miklaszewski

[11th Earl of Mar]

Avoiding attacking terrorist mastermind

...But NBC News has learned that long before the war the Bush administration had several chances to wipe out his terrorist operation and perhaps kill Zarqawi himself — but never pulled the trigger.

In June 2002, U.S. officials say intelligence had revealed that Zarqawi and members of al-Qaida had set up a weapons lab at Kirma, in northern Iraq, producing deadly ricin and cyanide.

The Pentagon quickly drafted plans to attack the camp with cruise missiles and airstrikes and sent it to the White House, where, according to U.S. government sources, the plan was debated to death in the National Security Council.

‘People were more obsessed with developing the coalition to overthrow Saddam than to execute the president’s policy of pre-emption against terrorists.’

...Four months later, intelligence showed Zarqawi was planning to use ricin in terrorist attacks in Europe.

The Pentagon drew up a second strike plan, and the White House again killed it. By then the administration had set its course for war with Iraq.

“People were more obsessed with developing the coalition to overthrow Saddam than to execute the president’s policy of preemption against terrorists,” according to terrorism expert and former National Security Council member Roger Cressey.

... The Pentagon drew up still another attack plan, and for the third time, the National Security Council killed it.

Military officials insist their case for attacking Zarqawi’s operation was airtight, but the administration feared destroying the terrorist camp in Iraq could undercut its case for war against Saddam.

The United States did attack the camp at Kirma at the beginning of the war, but it was too late — Zarqawi and many of his followers were gone...

And despite the Bush administration’s tough talk about hitting the terrorists before they strike, Zarqawi’s killing streak continues today.

© 2004 MSNBC Interactive

[Miss Marple]

You know, I really hate the media.

[MarkeyD]

Four months later, intelligence showed Zarqawi was planning to use ricin in terrorist attacks in Europe

So?

Haven't the Dumbocrats taught us that what goes on in other countries isn't our problem?

[Dr. Frank fan]

This is a new one: Bush wasn't sufficiently pre-emptive and unilateral.

[11th Earl of Mar]

Did NBC ever do one story on Clinton's failure to accept bin Laden when Sudan offered him to us on a silver platter?

[Always Right]

“People were more obsessed with developing the coalition to overthrow Saddam than to execute the president’s policy of preemption against terrorists,” according to terrorism expert and former National Security Council member Roger Cressey.

Now that is too funny. The media blasting Bush for trying to do what the media told him to do. Rule of thumb: Never listen to the media when making policy.

[caisson71]

So now MooKow says THERE WERE WMDs? I wish he'd make up his mind. I think NBC knows WMDs will be found and are just covering their sorry behinds.

[concerned about politics]

Clinton could have had Bin Laden. If he'd have done his job, 9/11 would have never happened, and the war on terror would never have existed.

Let's put the blame where it belongs this time, shall we? Bush is just cleaning up the mess the previous administration left behind. What A mess it was, too!
Even Haiti was a Clinton disaster!

[Dane]

This is a new one: Bush wasn't sufficiently pre-emptive and unilateral.

Of course if it happened, then the media would have been screaming pre-emptive and unfair unilateral agression.

[rbmillerjr]

Is anybody seeing this as an admission by NBC that Iraq had WMD lol.

Ricin is a WMD, last I checked.

Let's imagine that Bush hits this site. The story would be something like, "US military units hit alleged Ricin and terrorist camps today inside Iraq. No evidence could be found of Ricin after the attack. Unnamed sources are questioning why the Bush Administration would risk hitting such a low profile site and going after a low profile alleged Al Queada terrorist. The French Ambassador has expressed anger at the premature attack and claims that the coalition is in jeopardy."

[concerned about politics]

The NBC, CBS, ABC bankruptcies are late. I wish they'd hurry up and die already.

[onedoug]

We knew Saddam was in Iraq all that time too, and that the UN, Old Europe and NBC were trying to protect him.

[jimbo123]

But Brokaw and his fellow liberals said there was no evidence of Al Qaeda in Iraq, right?

[Bombard]

Did not Bill Clinton try to do the same to Ole Ben ? All the USA ended up doing was hitting an empty camp. NBC is thinking the old way. The new way of doing things is to hit these terrorists on the ground. US Special Ops troops along with the Kurds hit the base in question and took out a lot of the bad guys. Don't ever call President Bush timid when dealing with the scum who are attacking the USA. The media is so transparent and the bias they show is sicking. BUSH 2004!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Edit35]

First the elite mainstream media criticizes Bush, claiming there were no chemical or biological weapons in Iraq, and now they criticize Bush for not attacking sooner, because there WERE WMD's in Iraq.

No wonder the lamestream media loves John F...ing Kerry. They act just like him.

[Wolfstar]

In case NBC didn't notice, June 2002 was just nine months after September 2001. We had our hands full dealing with getting a new government up and running in Afghanistan at the time.

[Sofa King]

"In June 2002, U.S. officials say intelligence had revealed that Zarqawi and members of al-Qaida had set up a weapons lab at Kirma, in northern Iraq, producing deadly ricin and cyanide. "

Hold on- wait- I didn't think that there were any terrorists in Iraq!

Seems that Iraq was a haven for terrorism after all, huh? Guess we know we Bush we in, huh?

[shield]

Knew this was coming...don't believe the LYING MEDIA!!

[RightthinkinAmerican]

No, they have not. And you won't hear mention of it, either.

[Dr. Frank fan]

Of course if it happened, then the media would have been screaming pre-emptive and unfair unilateral agression.

Of course. How can we unilaterally attack a sovereign country without some kind of UN resolution? (Remember, this was even *before* 1441.)