Former CNN reporter says U.S. war planners ignored Iraqi resistance

AP WorldStream via COMTEX ^ | 3-30-03

[Oldeconomybuyer]

CAIRO, Egypt, Mar 30, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- A former CNN journalist told state-run Iraqi TV that U.S. war planners had misjudged Iraq's determination to stand up to the American-led coalition's invasion force.

"Clearly, the American war plans misjudged the determination of the Iraqi forces," Peter Arnett said during the interview aired Sunday by Iraq's satellite television station and monitored by The Associated Press in Egypt.

Arnett, who won a Pulitzer Prize reporting in Vietnam for The Associated Press, garnered much of his prominence from covering the 1991 Gulf War in Baghdad. He is now reporting from the Iraqi capital for NBC.

During his prerecorded Baghdad studio interview, which was translated by a green military uniform-wearing Iraqi anchor, Arnett said the Bush administration had ignored his and other reports about "the determination of the Iraqi armed forces and the government willingness to fight for their country."

It was not immediately clear when the interview was conducted.

Arnett was the on-air reporter of the 1998 CNN report that accused American forces of using sarin gas on a Laotian village in 1970 to kill U.S. defectors. Two CNN employees were sacked and Arnett was reprimanded over the report, which the station later retracted. Arnett ultimately left the network.

Arnett established close contacts with Iraqi government officials during his several visits to Iraq, but was unable to reflect anti-government sentiments through private interviews with Iraqis without the presence of Information Ministry minders.

President George Bush, the current U.S. leader's father, accused Arnett of being a "traitor" over what he considered were pro-Iraqi reports during the 1991 conflict.

"Whenever I gave a report (in 1991) of civilian casualties or civilian installations destroyed and casualties created, the Pentagon and Bush administration got very angry and called me traitor," he said on Iraqi Television.

Of the current conflict, Arnett also said the current U.S. invasion plan had failed and that American military strategists are now "trying to write another war plan."

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Pathetic.

[smith288]

After this is over, take him to prison for treason. A reporter reports, Arnett is giving comfort to Iraqi leadership

[ThreePuttinDude]

Now I remember who Scott Ritter reminded me of....

[laz17]

"Whenever I gave a report (in 1991) of civilian casualties or civilian installations destroyed and casualties created, the Pentagon and Bush administration got very angry and called me traitor,"

Because that's what you are, you POS.

[SolutionsOnly]

Giving the Iraqis false hope is only going to cost more Iraqi lives - that's blood on Arnett's hands in my mind.

It's pretty hopeless when you're even too anti-American for CNN.

As always, one must consider the source...

[angkor]

What a tool he is.

[MEG33]

Arnett was the voice of Baghdad in GW1.

[happygrl]

Peter Arnett is emplyed by the National Geographic Magazine to report from Bagdhad.

Any of you subscribe ? Could we start a FREEP on that organization ?

[cgbg]

Arnett is only allowed in Baghdad because he is a proven Quisling.

He is only allowed to speak what his Iraqi censors allow him to say.

So, for AP to run such a story is a journalistic abomination and can serve no other purpose than to give aid and comfort to the enemy.

[DugwayDuke]

"Arnett also said the current U.S. invasion plan had failed and that American military strategists are now "trying to write another war plan."

Arnett is on distribution for CENTCOM war plans?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

...During his prerecorded Baghdad studio interview, which was translated by a green military uniform-wearing Iraqi anchor...

Any chance he had a gun to his head during this "interview"? I wouldn't put it past the Iraqi regime to put this out as propaganda.

[mewzilla]

Three guesses why Arnett's been allowed to stay. And just more proof of how low CNN has sunk.

[stevem]

Doesn't this guy have a reputation for making up stories as he goes along? Seems to me I remember something about a sarin gas story and Vietnam and the US military and the reason why he is a "former" CNN reporter.

Oh, wait, this story covered that. Just shows you have to take everything this clown says with a grain of salt.

[LS]

I say it's time to create a new word for people who give false hope to terrorists and their allies: an "arnett" or a "ritter."

Use it in a sentence: "If not for the efforts of a few ritters, Baghdad might have fallen without a fight in 2003. As it was, a few arnetts caused many civilian casualties that probably should not have happened."

[bart99]

""Clearly, the American war plans misjudged the determination of the Iraqi forces," Peter Arnett said"

---

CLEARLY, Mr. Arnett should have an opportunity to interview General Franks. *chuckling*

I think the work "clearly" should be dropped from the vocabulary of all journalists - maybe they wouldn't sound like idiots.

[Use It Or Lose It]

Peter Arnett is emplyed by the National Geographic Magazine to report from Bagdhad.

PMSNBC and NBC carry his reports. I've just written to both and suggest everyone do the same. This slug deserves a rectal probing by a MOAB.

[Just mythoughts]

Considering what the Washington Post article says about the same thing, and MSNBC Brian Williams (who hates Rummy and the President) had a ret. Col. Jacobs on who with smugness described all the errors made by Rummy, must be a script.

Since all the newies are singing from the same songbook maybe this is another of the leftist orchestrated efforts to sow seeds of doubt. Could the newly Senator on the ARmed Services Committee be behind this new verse.

[Jhensy]

Sadly, like Time/Life, National Geographic has now completely succumbed to the loony left. The Grosvenors (and the Luces) are spinning in their graves.

[YOMO]

"Clearly, the American war plans misjudged the determination of the Iraqi forces," Peter Arnett said......
...........................................................

PINKO PETE is at it again. At least now he has a job with National Geographic chasing half naked women around the jungles when he is not writing propaganda.

[VoteHarryBrowne2000]

"A former CNN journalist ... Peter Arnett ..."

Wow, sure am glad that these "journalist" know how to fight a war. /sarcasm