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."

[Howlin]

What is so incredible is that just last Friday (?) there was an article saying he was getting his credibility back.

Evidently he took that as a "GO" sign.

[joyce11111]

disgusting

[CyberAnt]

Are you saying this is that reporter who was with Arnett ??

[swheats]

He's saying no one would listen to him. Well, we're listening now. He should be demanded to return to America NOW.

[tiki]

If we don't charge him with treason , there better be a really good explanation.

[kcvl]

bttt

[spectre]

"Professional courtesy" my ass!

Peter is setting himself up, kissing up to the enemy just to get an interview with Saddam or be the first to show us Saddam's remains. Peter has a plan.

sw

[kcvl]

National Geographic


bfallon@ngs.org

[MEG33]

He can always free lance for French TV or BBC.People like him have plenty of sympathizers.

[EllaMinnow]

Peter is a whore.

[kcvl]

National Geographic


bfallon@ngs.org

[StarFan]

Darn that e-mail link isn't accurate. After writing a blistering letter, I get a message saying "no matches found" for "comments at natgeochannel.com". I sent to the others in any event.

[rivercat]

I saw it. Outrageous! My son subscribes to National Geographic Kids. Here's the text of the email that I just sent to NG Kids...

To the Management, I just saw highlights of an interview with National Geographic's Peter Arnett by Iraqi TV. Needless to say, I am outraged. His acts are nothing short of sedition. A high profile magazine like National Geographic should not be associated with such a person. I am calling for his immediate dismissal. Unless he is dismissed, I will not be renewing my subscription. Furthermore, I will be leafing through some the issues that I have, and calling and writing to your advertisers. I will be informing them that I will not be purchasing any of their products because of their association with National Geographic and Peter Arnett.

[I'mPeach]

"He should be demanded to return to America NOW."
No... he should be air-dropped into the heart of Baghdad!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[ChadGore]

EMAIL MSNBC *and* National Geographic about
Peter Arnett, Baath Party Member HERE: ngsforum@nationalgeographic.com;newsdesk@nationalgeographic.com;comments@natgeochannel.com;viewerservices@msnbc.com

[cake_crumb]

The network said Arnett's "impromptu interview with Iraqi TV was done as a professional courtesy and was similar to other interviews he has done with media outlets from around the world. His remarks were analytical in nature and were not intended to be anything more."

Balony. The suck-up sold out in return for more guaranteed coverage...i.e. : $$$$$

[cake_crumb]

"Is he retarded or just a stupid jerk that gets big bucks for being anti-American."

ROFLOL! BUMP!!

...IMO, he's a stupid jerk getting big bucks for being anti-American.

[ThomWilkerson]

We should all call NBC and ask them why they are employing this century's Lord Haw Haw.

Darn, after months of procrastinating, I just renewed my subscription to Nat'l GEO [mainly to get the map of Iraq so I could follow the war] and now I'm gonna have to stop payment on the check. [well, maybe after I get the map... he he]

[StarFan]

Liz Trotta said he is quite charming but even she was at a loss to understand why he chooses to go off half cocked. Either he has delusions of grandeur (because of HIS reporting our military chose to rethink their tactics) or is seriously ill. I will not buy the excuse that he was coerced or was attempting to get an interview with Saddam. His actions border on aiding and abetting the enemy. PERIOD!