“...Find Caches of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Absolutely.” - Tenet on Zarqawi.

National Review Online ^ | April 28, 2007 | Victor Davis Hanson

[neverdem]

April 28, 2007, 1:21 a.m.

“...Find Caches of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Absolutely.”
Tenet on Zarqawi.

By Victor Davis Hanson

Like most Americans, I am confused about the recent public announcements of George Tenet — not the usual Beltway “he said/she said” sort of accusations and meae culpae that we are accustomed from former officials plugging “inside story” memoirs, but how exactly we are now to digest past statements in light of present behavior.

Surely Tenet had some free will, and when he testified under oath to congressional committees in February 2003 are we now to think such statements were misleading, untrue, or coerced by Dick Cheney — or do some remain absolutely accurate to this day?

Among the many accounts of his critical prewar testimony is the Dana Priest’s February 12, 2003, story in the Washington Post. My point in quoting it is not to show the obvious “that was then, this is now” attitude of Tenet, but to focus on his seemingly prescient warning about Zarqawi. His was a sober assessment, that however orphaned it may be now, seems in the light of history to have stood up pretty well. I highlight the relevant pieces of the February 2003 prewar article by Priest.

“CIA Director George J. Tenet, questioned about the value of ongoing inspections by the United Nations, said there is “little chance you’ll find weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq unless Hussein cooperates with inspectors. On the other hand, Tenet said he would expect U.S. troops “will find caches of weapons of mass destruction, absolutely,” were they to invade the country.

If the United States decides not to go to war with Iraq and instead waits on inspectors, Hussein will continue developing weapons of mass destruction, Tenet said. “He will continue to strengthen himself over time,” he said. “It never gets any better with this fellow, and he’s never been a status quo guy.”

Tenet also elaborated on the CIA’s understanding of Iraq’s link to al Qaeda, a central issue in the administration’s case for going to war against Iraq in the near future, as opposed to waiting months longer for the U.N. inspectors to do more work. Tenet described Abu Musab Zarqawi, the main character in the administration’s case that Iraq is working with al Qaeda now, as it had not done in the past, as a “senior al Qaeda associate.” Zarqawi sought medical care in Baghdad, has met with Osama bin Laden, has been financially supported by al Qaeda and has taken “sustenance” from Iraq. But Zarqawi, he pointed out, is not under the control of Hussein.”

Both the description of Zarqawi as a threat with al Qaeda links and enjoying sanctuary in Iraq without being under the control of Saddam Hussein seems born out by his later deadly career and blustering letters to al Qaeda heads. So why the contrition now on that casus belli? Al Qaeda was responsible for killing 3,000 Americans; one of its worst terrorists was freely enjoying sanctuary in Iraq; what has changed about that fact?

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[neverdem]

IMHO, I thought that was Tenet on WMD, but Zarqawi will suffice. CBS' 60 Minutes interview with Tenet was abysmal, from the claim that Valerie Plame was a current covert agent to the refusal to acknowledge reports of the WMD being evacuated prior to the invasion.

[Aria]

I didn’t watch it. He claimed VP is a current covert agent? How covert can one be when you drive to the CIA everyday? Tenet must be looking for a position in a future Democrat administration. You’d think he would have had enough.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Tenet was bought with money or threats, perhaps both. Or maybe he has just been a lefty moe all along.

[quadrant]

This obsession with finding weapons of mass destruction ignores the most important part of nuclear weapons development: the workforce necessary to design and assemble them.
The scientists, engineers, technicians, and assembly line workers are far more important than the physical materials. As long as Saddam kept his workforce intact, he would have been able to restart nuclear weapons development at any time.

[jveritas]

Exactly right.

Saddam regime did not produce the final Chemical Weapons products but was producing and researching the ingredients called Chemical Precursors required to make the final Chemical Weapons. The production of these Chemical Precursors took place from 1999-2002. They did so because if caught they can always claim that these dual materials are for civilian industries and also to deceive the people on these materials that they are doing so for civilian industries, also because the ingredients ( Chemical Precursors) have longer shelf life in storage than the final Chemical weapons. They produced these Precursors under a program called “Pharmaceutical and Pesticides Project” to give it a civilian industry name and for deception purposes as they called their previous nuclear program the “Petrochemical 3 Project”.

Saddam regime hid these Chemical Precursors in the Anbar province also called the Western desert.

The above conclusions and analysis are based on the many Iraqi documents that I read. I will not publicly post the possible locations of the Chemical Precursors as based on three documents I read, and that is because of security concerns. The terrorists who are very active in the Anbar province can get hold to these very dangerous chemical Precursors if they know its locations.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Tenet refused to comment on Plame in particular, but said outing a CIA agent was wrong.

[Vaquero]

Tenent is a Plaming Liberal

[VRWCmember]

Tenet refused to comment on Plame in particular, but said outing a CIA agent was wrong.

So what did he recommend be done to his buddy Richard Armitage, since he is the one that "outed" Plame.

[Liberty Valance]

Great points made by Mr. Hansen. Thanks for posting.

[neverdem]

Harsh Iraqi Reaction Expected

On the other hand, Tenet said he would expect U.S. troops “will find caches of weapons of mass destruction, absolutely,” were they to invade the country.

It's in the 5th paragraph.

[Bryan24]

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND why Republicans in the Senate will not ask some nut-cuttin questions like:

- Mr Tenet, when you testified in 2003, BEFORE the invasion of Iraq, that the U.S. "will find caches of weapons of mass destruction, absolutely", did you believe what you were saying?

- Mr Tenet, when you testified in 2003, BEFORE the invasion of Iraq, that the U.S. "will find caches of weapons of mass destruction, absolutely", were you saying that because someone at the Whitehouse TOLD you to say that?

- "Mr Tenet, when you testified in 2003, BEFORE the invasion of Iraq, that the U.S. "will find caches of weapons of mass destruction, absolutely", did you knowingly lie to the United States Congress when you said that?

Will someone PLEASE give the Republican Senators their brains, and their GUTS, back?

[jdsteel]

The scientists, engineers, technicians, and assembly line workers are far more important than the physical materials. As long as Saddam kept his workforce intact, he would have been able to restart nuclear weapons development at any time.

Don't forget about the nuclear weapons program and material that Libya gave up so quickly once Saddam could not strong arm them anymore.

[Tolik]

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[LibLieSlayer]

“Tenet refused to comment on Plame in particular, but said outing a CIA agent was wrong.”

Then tenet should seek the head of powell and armitage, since it was THOSE TWO LOSERS and novak that leaked her name! tenet is a dim and therefore the TRUTH is NOT in him!

LLS

[colorado tanker]

Most people don’t realize how close most chemical weapons are in composition to common chemicals like pesticides and polyurethane paints. It’s not too hard to create a “dual use” chemical industry.

[operation clinton cleanup]

So what did he recommend be done to his buddy Richard Armitage, since he is the one that "outed" Plame.

I know you will be shocked, but the name Armitage never came up in the whole interview! (at least the parts CBS chose to air)

[neverdem]

Private Screening of "Islam vs. Islamists", the movie PBS doesn't want you to see 5/1

Tenet Does 60 Minutes [Necessary Read]

Captured Al Qaeda Document Shows Bin Laden Deputy Aymen Al Zawahiri Visited Iraq.

From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks ND.

[TexKat]

One has to take what a person that looks like this says with a grain of salt. Perhaps a mug of salt!

[TexKat]

Reported $4 mil advance