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."

[webber]

"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."

Please post the advertisers who placing ads in NG so that if they refuse to denounce "Traitor Arnett's" statements over Iraqi TV, we can start a boycott of these advertisers and let them know that there is a boycott against any and all advertisers in NG.

[2nd amendment mama]

What I meant was this topic was already posted

1 posted on 03/30/2003 6:16 PM EST

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/880212/posts

[crobnson]

Yes, to make a name for himself. I guess he decided to settle for traitor.

[OldFriend]

I suspect this is a quid pro quo. Iraq threw the CNN reporter out of Baghdad and Peter obliged with this interview.

Typical media whore.

[YaYa123]

Wolf Blitzer has jsut shown the tape of Arnett and commented that Arnett did not mention the POWs or the missing journalists.

He also says NBC has offered a supportive memo for Arnett, and says The entire interview can be found on CNN.com.

[YaYa123]

What really ticks me off is that Wesley Clark is a CNN analyst....he's running for PResident...he's got personal axes to grind with the current Pentagon...and he wants everyone to think he could be doing a better job executing this war. The man has NO business being on television selling himself.

Oh he offers tepid support, flag draped sentences, but reading between the lines, you know he thinks his don't stink.

[crobnson]

I was going to say something simular; he allowed himself to be used, like they use p******!!

[cyncooper]

What I meant was this topic was already posted

Um, I know. As I pointed out. THIS thread was posted hours before the one you mistakenly said was "Already posted". This one says

Posted on 03/30/2003 5:16 AM PST

Your links says

Posted on 03/30/2003 3:16 PM PST

5:16 AM comes hours before 3:16 PM.

[OldFriend]

I have given up watching any media other than FNC and have limited my exposure to them as well.

For the most part I get the information I need from FR.......

Drudge is on locally with Ann Coulter as his guest. They are discussing Arnett!

[webber]

"I don't know if Arnett is an American citizen, but clearly, he should not be employed by American organizations ever again!"

"Benedict" Arnett was born in New Zealand, and only became a U.S. citizen just before the 1st Iraqi War. I think he should be deported and told it will be back to New Zealand, but push him out by parachute in the middle of Baghdad, his new home town.

[2nd amendment mama]

sorry... :^)

[crobnson]

Just read another post on this topic regarding his "taking credit" for the American Opposition. His showing civilian casualties, ect. The Military has been taking out the Iraqi media because of the messages that are being sent out. Seems to me that the US Government would not be too thrilled with Arnett's messages, they should "take him out" too.

[cyncooper]

I'm going to go read that thread now.

I emailed MSNBC that I have been a fan of their embedded reporters, like David Bloom, but that I will not watch them again until Peter Arnett is fired.

And I won't.

[crobnson]

Ditto!!

[2nd amendment mama]

Can't say that I disagree.....a well placed cruise or a good sniper would work I guess....lol

[firewalk]

Thanks Howlin

[Dolphy]

Thanks for the ping.

I have written to every e-mail address on this thread. What strikes me is that Arnett is not only anti-American, but he doesn't even stand up for his so called profession or colleagues. How does he speak of fair treatement knowing that FNC and CNN were both expelled, and the Newsday journalists are missing?

[cake_crumb]

"Wesley Clark is a CNN analyst....he's running for PResident..."

He is? Sheesh...is there any Democrat who ISN'T? Arnett is a weasle who's sucking up to Saddam for bucks. Period. HE makes a perfect Dem candidate for president too!

[metesky]

Thanks for that link, I missed the article first time around.

Notice Arnett goes on about their being no censorshio and no minders yet the last line in the article exposes hin:

"I want these minders around when the battle starts," he said.

Caught again, Petey!

[cake_crumb]

Hmmm...there's a piecenik protest sign in that...

Pic of your most hated media whore, then the name and the words "SUCKING UP FOR BUCKS!" below as a caption.