Posted on 03/31/2005 10:53:43 AM PST by areafiftyone
FORMER US secretary of state Colin Powell claims he is "furious and angry" about being misinformed over Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and has criticised George W.Bush and Donald Rumsfeld for their clumsy rhetoric in the lead-up to the war.
In a candid magazine interview, Mr Powell hinted that his infamous testimony to the UN Security Council in February 2003, when he built the case for the coalition invasion of Iraq, left him a political lame duck.
"Hundreds of millions followed it on television," Mr Powell said of his testimony. "I will always be the one who presented it.
"I have to live with that."
Mr Powell told Germany's Stern magazine that before appearing at the UN he had spent four days with the Central Intelligence Agency inspecting every photograph and word.
"The CIA believed there were weapons of mass destruction," Mr Powell said. "The President believed it. I believed it.
"Still, it was wrong. I did not know this at the time."
In his February 5, 2003, testimony to the UN, Mr Powell used the phrase "weapons of mass destruction" 18 times and concluded: "Leaving Saddam Hussein in possession of weapons of mass destruction for a few more months or years is not an option, not in a post-September 11 world." Mr Powell, who announced his resignation in November after Mr Bush won a second term as President, has said previously that his testimony was "not solid".
But the Stern interview is his most candid yet, also extending his criticism to Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who angered Europeans when he used the phrase "old Europe" as trans-Atlantic tensions rose over Iraq.
"We were sometimes too loud, too direct, perhaps we made too much noise," Mr Powell said. "That certainly shocked the Europeans sometimes -- words like 'Old Europe'."
He said that the rhetoric of Mr Rumsfeld "contributed to pitting European public opinion against us".
And Mr Bush came in for criticism too, with Mr Powell saying he "presented some positions in a perhaps overstated way, but that's how changes begin, just look at the Middle East," referring to what appears to be some democratic momentum in the region.
But Mr Powell stressed that, despite mild criticism, he had left the White House on good terms with the President and spoke of a warm relationship with him.
"We are friends," he said.
Despite the fallout from the WMD farce, Mr Powell, 68, claimed he never considered resigning.
He stressed that he had no presidential ambitions and appeared determined to present his legacy as the voice of moderation in the Bush White House.
He added that despite the problems facing US troops in Iraq now, it was better that Saddam Hussein was no longer in power.
"Yes, the insurgency is much bigger than we anticipated. But I'm glad that Saddam is in jail," he said.
Mr Powell stepped down as secretary of state in January, replaced by Condoleezza Rice.
Dr. Rice is already a better Secretary of State.
Condi needs to do to Foggy Bottom exactly what Porter Goss is busy doing at the CIA.
"Dr. Rice has proven herself more of a credit to this country than Powell did in his four years."
Powell served his country longer than four years.
Setting aside the journalistic manipulation here, does anyone really think Powell's true beliefs are much different from the impressions conveyed?
This magazine "article" seems a bit trumped up to me.
How come there is so much interpretaton of what Powell
said and very little quotation markings of what he
ACTUALLY said and in WHAT ORDER he said it? THis is the kind of "news report" we constantly read in the NTY or one of the super market tabloids. Not good journalism. I would advise NOT being taken in so quikly by this AUSTRALIAN blurb.
"The CIA believed there were weapons of mass destruction," Mr Powell said. "The President believed it. I believed it."
Oh man, I've got more bad news for you Mr.Powell. I STILL believe Saddam had WMD. Of course my opinion doesn't matter to anyone but myself and those who have seen and held Iraq's WMD (or all the components thereof)with their own eyes and hands. LOL -Didn't take Mr. Powell long to go off the reservation.
But did he know it was "bullsh't" as was reported.
Speaking of Secretary of State, as you well know.
I still respect Powell, but his comment that " that the rhetoric of Mr Rumsfeld "contributed to pitting European public opinion against us" is dead wrong, Europe was dead since against us, because they were bribed by Saddam Hussein, simply put: war for oil, clearly worked out in their favor.
**"Hundreds of millions followed it on television," Mr Powell said of his testimony. "I will always be the one who presented it.
"I have to live with that."**
Would it comfort Mr. Powell to know that very few people, when thinking of the Iraqi war, think of him? The outcome - good or bad - falls on President Bush. He's responsible. Powell seems to make more of his presentation than he needs to.
I read that Powell offered to stay on and President Bush said no thanks. That could also be why Powell is so pissy.
Yes I know. I was just trying to give him credit for his service in the military.
Powell seeking publicity. Can a book be far behind.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
He must be eyeing up Annans job...He and Clinton can duke it out...
Powell who?
Uh yeah. Frankly, I have know idea what Powell's positions are on these matters because he is a very loyal soldier, a friend of the Bush's, and toes the company line. The entire time he was SoS all I ever heard were "rumors" and "rumblings" of "supposed disagreements" between the State and Defense Departments. Never once can I remember a quote from Powell, Rummy, or frankly anyone in the Bush camp that demonstrated disloyalty or a committment to anything other the the President's wish's. Yet there has persistently been a vocal minority on FR that bash Powell.
Whatever. If you people don't like the guy so be it, but to me the guy is as loyal as any other Bushie.
I still respect Powell, but his comment that " that the rhetoric of Mr Rumsfeld "..
You need to read more carefully. That is not a quote from Powell.
I never liked Powell. I saw Gen. Schwarzkopf speak in person and believe you me, he would make a great Sec Of State. Powell is loved by the media because he leaks, so they give him great, overblown coverage. Powell's like McCain, figure out what the MSM wants them to say, then go out and criticzed Republicans/Conservatives. If Powell wants to be a politician, he should run for office.
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