[shezza]

This was known during the opening weeks of the war, was it not? Russian advisors on hand, including those in the ... er ... "diplomatic" convoy of trucks heading for Syria, had to be evacuated and their safety assured before American action could be taken, regardless of their nefarious reasons for being there in the first place.

Russia is NOT our friend (the president's view to Putin's soul notwithstanding).

[Proctor]

Whether by chance or design, one piece of Russian intelligence actually contributed to an important U.S. military deception effort. By telling Saddam that the main attack on Baghdad would not begin until the Army's 4th Infantry Division arrived around April 15, the Russians reinforced an impression that U.S. commanders were trying to create to catch the Iraqis by surprise.

Sounds like the Russians were helping is out - no wonder Bush was so chummy with Putin after the invasion on Putin's trip to Washington.

What I find laughable is with such a 'wink-wink' line added in the people here are all upset and can't read between the lines. I guess Saddam was not the only one fooled by this feint.

Remember - Russia was also trying to negotiate into getting Saddam to step down and go into exile in Jordan and this was probably a way to scare him into going.

Putin also warned Bush about planned attacks on America by Saddam after 9/11.