Journalist claims proof of WMD lies (Report Aired in UK)

AAP ^ | 9/23/03 | Paul Mulvey in London

[Mark Felton]

AUSTRALIAN investigative journalist John Pilger says he has evidence the war against Iraq was based on a lie that could cost George W. Bush and Tony Blair their jobs and bring Prime Minister John Howard down with them.

A television report by Pilger aired on British screens overnight said US Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice confirmed in early 2001 that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had been disarmed and was no threat.

But after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11 that year, Pilger claimed Rice said the US "must move to take advantage of these new opportunities" to attack Iraq and claim control of its oil.

Pilger uncovered video footage of Powell in Cairo on February 24, 2001 saying, "He (Saddam Hussein) has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbours."

Two months later, Rice reportedly said, "We are able to keep his arms from him. His military forces have not been rebuilt."

Powell boasted this was because America's policy of containment and its sanctions had effectively disarmed Saddam.

Pilger claims this confirms that the decision of US President George W Bush - with the full support of British Prime Minister Blair and Howard - to wage war on Saddam because he had weapons of mass destruction was a huge deception.

Pilger interviewed several leading US government figures in Washington but said he did not ask Powell or Rice to respond to his claims.

"I think it's very serious for Howard. Howard has followed the Americans and to a lesser degree Blair almost word for word," Pilger told AAP before his program was screened on ITV tonight.

"All Howard does is say `well it's not true' and never explains himself.

"I just don't believe you can be seen to be party to such a big lie, such a big deception and endure that politically.

"It simply can't be shrugged off and that's Howard's response.

"Blair has shrugged it off but Blair is deeply damaged. It's far from over here, there's a lot that is going to happen and much of it could wash onto Howard.

"And it's unravelling in America and Bush could lose the election next year.

"I've not seen political leaders survive when they've been complicit in such an open deception for so long."

Howard last week dismissed an accusation from Opposition Leader Simon Crean that he hid a warning from British intelligence that war against Iraq would heighten the terrorist threat to Australia.

In his report, Pilger interviews Ray McGovern, a former senior CIA officer and friend of Bush's father and ex-president, George Bush senior.

McGovern told Pilger that going to war because of weapons of mass destruction "was 95 per cent charade."

Pilger also claims that six hours after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he wanted to "hit" Iraq and allegedly said "Go Massive ... Sweep it all up. Things related and not."

He was allegedly talked down by Powell who said the American people would not accept an attack on Iraq without any evidence, so they opted to invade Afghanistan where Osama bin Laden had bases.

Pilger claimed war was set in train on September 17, 2001 when Bush signed a paper directing the Pentagon to explore the military options for an attack on Iraq.

AAP

[Mark Felton]

"[Montesquieu wrote in his Spirit of Laws, X,c.2:] 'The right of natural defense carries along with it sometimes the necessity of attacking; as, for instance, when one nation sees that a continuance of peace will enable another to destroy her, and that to attack that nation instantly is the only way to prevent her own destruction." --Thomas Jefferson: copied into his Commonplace Book.

[isom35]

but bush never would lie, so this must be bogus right?

[MEG33]

John Pilger is anti war,an anti American and a left winger.

[clamboat]

This thread won't last long...

[Sloth]

They really need to come up with a new conspiracy theory - this one's getting tired.

[Mark Felton]

Know thine enemy.

[aynrandfreak]

This guy is a second-rate Andrew Gilligan.

[Imal]

If this is all the guy has, some video footage of Powell one month into his job and some quotes from Condi, and no real smoking gun, then this is more a wishful-thinking hit piece than a shocking expose.

Somehow, I doubt this is going to bring anything down, except readers' opinions of Pilger.

Mooing and chewing isn't enough. Americans demand beef.

[Mark Felton]

Unlike Gilligan though he is quoting his sources overtly as Powell and RRice in public statements.

The questions are: How much traction will this get in the US? and How much damage will it do?

[rwfromkansas]

Damning evidence I must say.

This could take Bush down.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm? I never would have guessed ..??

[Diddle E. Squat]

Actually this guy seems far more likely to lie than Bush.

Pilger interviewed several leading US government figures in Washington but said he did not ask Powell or Rice to respond to his claims.

Rather gutless, apparently he is more interested in spectacular accusations than confronting the participants and getting the truth. So far it has all the signs of a cheap hit job.

[Pikamax]

its John" THE WEST IS EVIL! AMERICA is EVIL!" Pilger, If his proof everything is a lie based on a video tape speech. the man has problems.

[Diddle E. Squat]

You'll make an excellent journalist, easily suckered by simple hype.

[MEG33]

Pilger is a spinner.Google his name and read his work.

[Mo1]

Pilger interviewed several leading US government figures in Washington but said he did not ask Powell or Rice to respond to his claims.

Who were these "several leading US government figures in Washington"???

[Mo1]

You.believe.thi$???

$orry.about.typo$.my.keyboard.ju$t.died......grrrrr

[rwfromkansas]

quote is pretty hard to dispute...Bush could still offer an explanation. I just said this appears damning and could take Bush down depending on how it is played in the press.

[Liberal Bob]

Actually Rice flew a SR71 to London 9/10/01 with secret plans to present to Tony Blair on attacking France after Bush knocked down the towers the next morning. But they were using one of Clarks old maps from his Bosnia days and ended up Afghanistan.

Actual photo of Rice flying the plane... proof positive.