***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 19 - LIVE THREAD***

Multiple ^ | April 7, 2003 | Various

[Poser]

Q: About British Gains in Basra. How will it help with resistance in Bag?
R: Not sure. They don't have much communication in Bag.

Q:Comment on reports that State Dept. has nominated names and Rummy has vetoed some of them (new Iraqi leaders?)
R: Activity in progress. Jay Garner in charge. All sorts of govt people helping. Most jobs sorted through. Process of trying to help figure out what to do with ministries in Iraq after conflict.
A number of ministries could be put in the hands of Iraqis relatively quickly.

Q: You stated a number of POWs have been executed. How many?
R: I said they have executed POWs. Did I say American POWs. I don't think I said that. If I did say American, I want to correct it. Doesn't have the names of US prisoners of war that were executed. Has not heard report on autopsies. Did not say US POWs. Just POWs.

Q: Has tipping point been reached.
R: Doesn't know.

[Not A Snowbird]

"Oh, Rumsfeld is calling the reporters out! Cool!"

Details! Details! The cubicle bound want details!

[Carolina]

Oh, Rumsfeld is calling the reporters out!

Hahahahaha!

[Howlin]

Rumsfeld: "Your question was WRONG! I did not say American POWs."

[RooRoobird14]

Sniff, sniff, Consort--I've been crying so much lately I think I need to carry a canteen--LOL.

Even the local worthless newspaper stories make me cry lately.

I know this war is absolutely the right thing to do, but it doesn't make the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families any less moving and painful.

[Dog]

Rummy explaining the tipping point thing to the press....

[Cate]

...Gen. Meyers, what was the purpose of going into the palaces? Ans- many reasons, a strong message to the Iraqi people that this regime is gone, to see what is inside, checking for WMDs, documents., etc.

[Mo1]

Got it .. thanks

[Howlin]

The reporter asked a question about Rumsfeld saying that American POWs had been executed by Iraq.

He said, "Did I say that? I don't think I said American." And sent off one of his people to find out what he REALLY said.

When the aide came back with the transcript, Rumsfeld pointed to the reporter and said, "Your question was wrong!"

[Cboldt]

Summary of Recent Chemical Stories

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/887098/posts <-- Missiles with Chemicals (NPR)

20 medium-range missiles equipped with potent chemical weapons, the U.S. news station National Public Radio reported on Monday.

NPR, which attributed the report to a top official with the 1st Marine Division, said the rockets, BM-21 missiles, were equipped with sarin and mustard gas and were "ready to fire."

It said the cache was discovered by Marines with the 101st Airborne Division, which was following up behind the Army after it seized Baghdad's international airport.

---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/887304/posts <-- Drums of Chemicals (Albu Mahawish)

U.S. forces may have found banned chemical weapons stored in huge drums at a military training camp in Central Iraq, Fox News has confirmed.

Maj. Michael Hamlet of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division said the nerve agents sarin and tabun and the blister agent lewisite appeared to be present at the site, Reuters reported.

The chemicals were found at the camp in Albu Mahawish, between the central Iraqi cities of Karbala and Hilla, Reuters reported.

---

http://www.jsonline.com/news/gen/apr03/131713.asp <-- Contaminated Soldiers story

"The evacuation of dozens of soldiers Sunday night followed a day of tests for the nerve agent that came back positive, then negative. Additional tests Sunday night by an Army Fox mobile nuclear, biological and chemical detection laboratory confirmed the existence of sarin.

"In addition to the soldiers sent for decontamination, a Knight Ridder reporter, a CNN cameraman and two Iraqi prisoners of war also were hosed down with water and bleach."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/887270/posts<-- Contamination was pesticide

"Initial tests had reportedly detected traces of sarin -- a powerful toxin that quickly affects the nervous system -- after US soldiers guarding the facility near Hindiyah, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad, became ill.

"Mastrianni said: 'They thought it was a nerve agent. That's what it tested. But it is pesticide.'"

---

http://www.msnbc.com/news/895392.asp?0cv=CA01 <-- MSNBC report of an Iraq Armored Personnel Carrier with WMD

the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. military officers had told troops that soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division had captured an Iraqi BMP Armored Personnel Carrier that was believed to contain sarin gas and mustard gas.

[Fracas]

Ticked-off Secretary of Defense points finger in face of nitwit reporter: 'Your question was wrong. I did not say that'.

End of story. LOL.

[Anomaly in Illinois]

I can't stop smiling when I watch Rummy.

[Carolina]

Bookmark--chemical....

[Howlin]

Rumsfeld pointed to the reporter and said, "Your question was wrong!"

I don't think we need to wonder WHERE the negative reports about Rumsfeld are coming from.

[Not A Snowbird]

"When the aide came back with the transcript, Rumsfeld pointed to the reporter and said, "Your question was wrong!" "

Hahahaha!!!! Thanks!

[Cate]

Gen. Meyers ... our forces have been very successful in the taking of the rep guards.. generally it doesn't appear that the rep guards are 'coherent' , they may become a greater adversary, but right now they are not....

[Jaded]

He should just say "the purpose for going inside the palaces it for the troops to shower, shave and have a smoke. Just for a short rest."

These mediots. Sheesh.

[JLS]

Thanks for the reports.

[Dog]

WOW!

Who was the reporter???

[Not A Snowbird]

"Ticked-off Secretary of Defense points finger in face of nitwit reporter:"

Tee hee! Can't wait for the replay tonight.