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Clark Wants Probe of White House on Iraq Intelligence
Reuters ^
| October 3, 2003
Posted on 10/03/2003 3:31:37 PM PDT by Shermy
ARLINGTON, Va. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark called on Friday for an independent probe of the Bush administration's use of intelligence before the Iraq war, calling it "twisted" and possibly criminal.
The retired four-star Army general and NATO commander who entered the 2004 White House race two weeks ago amid a flood of publicity and instantly rose among the leaders in some polls, said the American public needed to know if it was "intentionally deceived."
In his harshest indictment yet of President Bush, Clark said the administration's "irresponsible" Iraq policy had put Americans in danger and the United States in crisis mode at home and abroad.
Going further than his nine rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, most of whom have called for a special counsel to probe the leak of an undercover CIA officer's name, Clark also demanded an independent commission investigate the "possible manipulation" of intelligence leading to the war in Iraq.
"Nothing could be a more serious violation of public trust than to consciously make a war based on false claims," he told a conference of military reporters and editors. "Its handling of intelligence and its retaliation against its critics may have been criminal."
"INTELLIGENCE GAP"
"We need to know if we face an intelligence gap ... because the system has been twisted to suit the prejudices of the policy makers," Clark said.
Bush defended on Friday his decision to attack Iraq, brushing aside questions about his justifications for war and citing what he said was preliminary evidence from the top CIA weapons hunter that Baghdad had been developing unconventional weapons even though none have so far been found.
Clark, who retired from the military three years ago, said he had seen "no compelling" evidence that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was an imminent threat and depicted the war in Iraq as a policy hatched "behind the scenes."
He said he heard the arguments that the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks justified an invasion to oust Saddam, that it provided an opportunity to remake the region and that there was "a list of states they want to take down in the Middle East."
"I had hoped it was just Pentagon hallway scuttlebutt ... but it looks like it was more than that," he said.
Clark accused the Bush administration of having an answer before they knew the question.
"They seized on Sept. 11 as proof of a problem that required the solution of attacking Iraq," he said. "Saddam was involved in Sept. 11, they implied, and Saddam had weapons of mass destruction, so they made Iraq a centerpiece in the war on terror."
Clark, who has portrayed himself as the best Democratic candidate to challenge Bush on national security issues, charged the administration with violating the principles of American democracy by retaliating against anyone who expressed dissent or questioned logic.
The Justice Department is investigating who disclosed the identity of an undercover CIA officer whose husband had challenged Bush's claims about Iraq's weapons threat.
TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: wesleyclark; yawn
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To: Southack
I think we should investigate both White Houses and see which one can claim the title of Champion Exaggerator. It would be a pretty close contest with Clinton leading the way on the Monica incident. Bush would take more points on involving more deaths to our troops and expenses.
21
posted on
10/03/2003 3:56:43 PM PDT
by
meenie
To: Shermy
He said he heard the arguments that the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks justified an invasion to oust Saddam, that it provided an opportunity to remake the region and that there was "a list of states they want to take down in the Middle East." And this is a bad thing how?
22
posted on
10/03/2003 3:58:58 PM PDT
by
Argus
((Ninety-nine and forty-four one-hundredths percent Pure Reactionary))
To: All
"Clark also demanded an independent commission investigate the "possible manipulation" of intelligence leading to the war in Iraq."
DEMAND? By what authority? Sorry General, you are now a civilian you can no longer "demand" anything. I "DEMAND" that everyone's taxes should be cut in half. See, no one listens to me either. Maybe we should hold an investigation into you General. Because we all know that "Clark Knew".
23
posted on
10/03/2003 4:00:37 PM PDT
by
Bringbackthedraft
(Temp down to 30's last night, snow in the Adirondacks, time to go south.)
To: Bringbackthedraft
There needs to be an independent "probe" into General Weslie K. Clark (Ret.), demonratic candidate for president, for leaking our top secret war plans to the friggin' world!
To: Support Free Republic
It's obvious that Reuters would not have given one of the Democrat candidates this chance to publish a long rant free of charge, if hillary's office hadn't picked up the phone and ordered them to.
25
posted on
10/03/2003 4:28:13 PM PDT
by
Cicero
(Marcus Tullius)
To: Shermy
Let's not forget 86 US citizens in Waco.
26
posted on
10/03/2003 4:34:04 PM PDT
by
Tymesup
To: Peach
"The only 'intelligence gap'going on here is between Clark's ears!"
Great point!
27
posted on
10/03/2003 4:38:13 PM PDT
by
MEG33
To: Shermy
Clark Wants Probe of White House on Iraq Intelligence
I want Clark probed to see if they can find some intelligence rather than political pandering.
28
posted on
10/03/2003 4:42:19 PM PDT
by
aruanan
To: Shermy
Clark can want in one hand and...
Clinton in the other.
LVM
29
posted on
10/03/2003 4:42:24 PM PDT
by
LasVegasMac
(Remember: Amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.)
To: Shermy
The Clinton's have been laying in wait for the perfect moment to get payback for Bill's impeachment by getting George Bush impeached. Looks like he's trying this story out as the possible vehicle by having his sock puppet Clark start sending out feelers. I expect we'll be be hearing the word "impeachment" on the Sunday shows.
30
posted on
10/03/2003 4:45:43 PM PDT
by
CFC__VRWC
(AIDS, abortion, euthanasia - don't liberals just kill ya?)
To: Southack
The bombing of Belgrade was dramatic. Why did we bomb Belgrade anyway? They never did anything to Americans.
To: Shermy
In another press conference, Clark also demanded a separate investigation to determine whether President Bush's dog splashed on a government owned White House tree. Clark the Arkie is really showing his stuff.
32
posted on
10/03/2003 4:55:51 PM PDT
by
Tacis
To: LittleJoe
When he started talking about time travel research my jaw hit the ground. This guy kills me. But, what do you expect for a liberal puppet.
33
posted on
10/03/2003 5:07:52 PM PDT
by
Rays_Dad
To: oldironsides
So we could fight a war without ground troops. Wag the dog
34
posted on
10/03/2003 5:09:29 PM PDT
by
Rays_Dad
To: Shermy
So? Who cares what he wants? Clark is nothing but a presidential wannabe. I might add, an insane presidential wannabe. "Beam me up, Al."
To: Rays_Dad
Oh yeah. This guy is going to give us some really good entertainment this election season!
To: Shermy
Clark is dangerous. Just take into consideration who his backers are then put the scenario together. Clark is doing the 'dirty work' that the klintoooons can't openly do. Their intention is to get rid of Dean with Clark's credentials as a military expert, then to take over the DNC for themselves. I'm not so sure why....unless it's a sure thing that Hitlery is going to jump in...or be ready to be drafted with Clark as her running mate. I guess this will unfold in time. In the meantime....be afraid....be very afraid!
37
posted on
10/03/2003 5:34:14 PM PDT
by
mrtysmm
To: Shermy
Yeah I got your probe right here, Wesley, just back into the service bay.
To: Bonaparte; Destro; Peach
Hot tip:
Saw in a store today.
New York Review of Books has a headline piece "by" Clark on the Iraq war.
He's being positioned...
39
posted on
10/03/2003 6:41:55 PM PDT
by
Shermy
To: Shermy
Times of London publishes
three articles in one week "by" Weasley Clark.
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