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Bush Says Iraqi Weapons May Be Destroyed
AP ^ | Apr. 24, 2003 | RON FOURNIER, AP White House Correspondent

Posted on 04/24/2003 2:37:36 PM PDT by A Vast RightWing Conspirator

Bush Says Iraqi Weapons May Be Destroyed
28 minutes ago
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By RON FOURNIER, AP White House Correspondent

LIMA, Ohio - President Bush (news - web sites) raised the possibility Thursday that any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction were destroyed before or during the U.S.-led war, suggesting for the first time that coalition troops may come up empty in their search.

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Bush, who is expected to mark the end of hostilities soon, defied much of the world to wage war against Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) in a bid to rid Iraq (news - web sites) of weapons of mass destruction. Iraqi leaders asserted the nation had none, and an intensive search by coalition forces has uncovered no proof so far of chemical or biological weapons or a nuclear weapons program.

"He tried to fool the United Nations (news - web sites) and did for 12 years by hiding these weapons. And so it's going to take time to find them," the president said at the Lima Army Tank Plant. "But we know he had them. And whether he destroyed them, moved them or hid them, we're going to find out the truth."

Senior administration officials began this week to scale back expectations that weapons of mass destruction would be found. Bush's spokesman, Ari Fleischer (news - web sites), said Wednesday that success of the search effort depends "not on finding something by bumping into it" but on information provided by Iraqis who might have been involved in such programs.

A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bush's remarks were based on information from at least one Iraqi scientist who has led coalition forces to materials used in the production of weapons of mass destruction and who has said some weapons were destroyed before the war, others perhaps afterward.

It is believed that some weapons may have been removed from Iraq, and some probably remain, the official said.

France, Russia and other allies opposed to the war want U.N. inspectors to verify any evidence of weapons uncovered by the United States. The Bush administration has refused, saying coalition forces are more efficient.

Bush did not say how likely it was that weapons had been destroyed, rather than hidden and perhaps soon to be uncovered.

"One thing's for certain, Saddam Hussein no longer threatens America with weapons of mass destruction," he said.

Troops on the ground have searched more than 80 sites that prewar U.S. intelligence judged the most likely hiding places for chemical and biological weapons as well as evidence of an Iraqi nuclear program. After a recent strategy shift, teams are now setting aside the search list and deciding where to go more on the basis of new information from Iraqis.

Bush's remarks came at the end of a politically charged three-city visit to Ohio, one of a dozen or so states that will be closely contested in the 2004 presidential election. Bush hopes to convert his wartime popularity into successes in Congress — particularly with his troubled $726 billion economic package.

Bush hoped to pressure Ohio Sen. George Voinovich (news, bio, voting record), a Republican who derailed the White House tax package by refusing to back cuts of more than $350 billion.

Voinovich briefly greeted Bush at the airport in Dayton but he did not attend the president's speeches nor bow to White House demands.

"I think he knows where I'm at," the senator said of Bush.

The president made his disappointment clear.

"Some in Congress say the plan is too big. Well, it seems like to me they might have some explaining to do. If they agree that tax relief creates jobs, then why are they for a little bitty tax relief package?" Bush said.

Democrats said Bush's plan favors the rich and offers low- and middle-income Americans a few hundred dollars in savings.

 

"For people who need prescription drugs or health insurance, that's a drop in the bucket," Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (news, bio, voting record), D-Ohio, said.

While aides said it was not yet time to declare victory in Iraq, the president nearly jumped the gun.

"We fought a war in Afghanistan (news - web sites), and now we have finished a war," Bush said in North Canton before catching himself and adding, "in the process of finishing a war in Iraq."

Several administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they expect commanding Gen. Tommy Franks to declare the hostilities over in a few days, paving the way for a presidential address as early as next week that would wrap up the war.

Separately, Bush plans to travel to Dearborn, Mich., on Monday to discuss the future of a newly liberated Iraq. The Detroit suburb is home to one of the nation's largest Arab communities.

While visiting the Lima plant, Bush put a positive spin on reports that some Iraqi factions do not welcome U.S. troops and that an Iranian-style theocracy may grow to power.

"In Iraq, there's discussion, debate, protest — all the hallmarks of liberty," Bush said. "The path to freedom may not always be neat and orderly, but it is the right of every person and every nation."


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Ohio
KEYWORDS: destroyed; wmd
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To: RightWhale
I haven't noticed many Dem leaders in the House and Senate getting face time asking, "Where are the WMD's?"

Of course, they are privy to security briefings...

41 posted on 04/24/2003 3:27:12 PM PDT by cibco (Xin Loi... Saddam)
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To: GretchenEE
"Wasn't "John Beresford Tipton" the hero of the old TV series?"

Yes, thank you for the compliment, but I don't feel like a hero. On many occasions I would summon Michael Anthony to come to my palatial estate, Silverstone, to receive his next assignment. Unfortunately, his scoundrel of a cousin, Michael "Tex" Anthony had me mortgage Silverstone and invest in Enron. I am now trying to get handouts from all those millionaires I created, but since I did it anonymously, they think I'm a con man an slam the door in my face.

[The show was called "The Millionaire" and it ran late '50s early 60's.]
42 posted on 04/24/2003 3:33:19 PM PDT by John Beresford Tipton
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To: cibco
Maybe W didn't attend those briefings. He seems to indicate that he has no idea where they are.
43 posted on 04/24/2003 3:33:37 PM PDT by A Vast RightWing Conspirator
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To: cibco
Dem leaders in the House and Senate

Come to think of it, it's been fairly quiet there all along. You know Hillary would be standing up on her senator's desk about this and it isn't fear of the 77% in the polls keeping them quiet. Who is still talking about WMDs aside from a few bloggers and DUers and Saloners and callers to talk-radio and a mere handful of thoughtful posters on FR?

44 posted on 04/24/2003 3:35:55 PM PDT by RightWhale (Theorems link concepts; proofs establish links)
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To: A Vast RightWing Conspirator
And, again, please don't post nay disinformation about the alleged finding of WMDs. No WMD's were found and the military confirms this every day during their briefings.

You are the disinformation specialist here. Why would Saddam go through 12 years of UN sanctions if he wasn't hiding WMD? Where is your logic on this?? 99% of them may have been destroyed or moved to Syria but he still had them months ago and years ago. Contrary to the terms of the 1991 surrender. We'll still find them though. Saddam was too sloppy.

Already you forget Saddam's track record of using poison gas in war.

45 posted on 04/24/2003 3:36:28 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: A Vast RightWing Conspirator
It is possible to see a 'trial of the century' where a number of Iraqis are tried for.

Well heck as long as we get a good scapeg..., I mean a high level Iraqi official, to put on trial.

46 posted on 04/24/2003 3:39:27 PM PDT by billbears (Deo Vindice)
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To: A Vast RightWing Conspirator
I believe very strongly that there were and probably are WMD in Iraq. And I believe that the war was justified already by freeing the Iraqis and by the identified links to terrorists including AQ (does anyone remember 9/11?).

However, we need to find them. Otherwise any American intelligence used to justify other actions will be looked at with much suspicion by not only the intl community, but by the American public.
47 posted on 04/24/2003 3:39:31 PM PDT by DougF
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To: A Vast RightWing Conspirator
No WMD's were found

Not true. Not even close.

We've indentified the C&C for the systems and have recorded evidence of the commands. We've also indentified the delivery systems and residue.

What's missing to this point are the active ingredients and the manufacturing equipment. Since the manufacturing equipment can be dual use they are going to be hard to identify.

So what you're really saying is that we haven't found significant amounts of weapons grade biologics or chemicals

In this you are correct but that's a long stretch from "No WMD's were found" .

48 posted on 04/24/2003 3:40:01 PM PDT by Amerigomag
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To: RightWhale
Who is still talking about WMDs aside from a few bloggers and DUers and Saloners and callers to talk-radio and a mere handful of thoughtful posters on FR?

Can we recall why Iraq was invaded? Wasn't it because Saddam's WMD were endangering our freedom? If WMDs aren't found... could it mean that Iraq was not posing a danger to our national security? And, if that's the case... why waste 138 Americans and $80 billion?

49 posted on 04/24/2003 3:40:09 PM PDT by A Vast RightWing Conspirator
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To: Amerigomag
In this you are correct but that's a long stretch from "No WMD's were found" .

I listen to the 7 a.m. military briefing once or twice per week and there's always a reporter asking the WMD question and the answer is always 'not yet' but... maybe soon...

50 posted on 04/24/2003 3:43:57 PM PDT by A Vast RightWing Conspirator
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To: John Beresford Tipton
He gave the WMD as the reason to invade Iraq. If he can't find them, regardless of what other reasons he now gives, it will look like a "bait and switch" operation.

I agree. Although I supported the war in Iraq and would have done so without all of the WMD rhetoric, Bush committed himself here. I fully believe that if WMD's are not found and the economy continues to falter Bush II could be closely following the blueprint of Bush I, which would be sad.

51 posted on 04/24/2003 3:48:54 PM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: PBRSTREETGANG
Although I supported the war in Iraq and would have done so without all of the WMD rhetoric, Bush committed himself here

Why is that again? Without the WMDs, how would Iraq have presented a threat to our national safety? I think nations that have burgeoning nuclear weapons programs are a bit more of a threat. Of course we're giving them 40,000 tons of food a year

52 posted on 04/24/2003 3:51:16 PM PDT by billbears (Deo Vindice)
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To: A Vast RightWing Conspirator
It was very complicated in 1099 and many decisions and events since WW II have complicated it all still more. There comes a time to cut the Gordion knot, and the cutting is far from over at this time.

Those chem- and bio-weapons weren't that much of a problem. Sure, terrorists could have some fun with them and disrupt a lot of lives. But the nuclear bomb program was too much. The almost certain nuclear exchange between Israel and Iraq would have been horrific in itself and might have sucked others into the maelstrom through treaties. Just a matter of time. It's much better this way.

53 posted on 04/24/2003 3:54:21 PM PDT by RightWhale (Theorems link concepts; proofs establish links)
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To: RightWhale
Who is still talking about WMDs aside from a few bloggers and DUers and Saloners and callers to talk-radio and a mere handful of thoughtful posters on FR?

President Bush.
54 posted on 04/24/2003 3:54:29 PM PDT by Hillary? Hell no!
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To: John Beresford Tipton
As I remember the real reason was "Regime Change", mission accomplished. The left can play the "no WMD found" card to the hilt but that video of the Saddam statue coming down and the Iraqi guy pounding on it with a sledgehammer is what everyone will remember.
55 posted on 04/24/2003 3:56:27 PM PDT by John Lenin (Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy)
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To: Hillary? Hell no!
Is he? I'll take your word for it. Maybe he'll come to Eielson AFB one of these days and say a few words and we'll all go out to listen.
56 posted on 04/24/2003 3:56:49 PM PDT by RightWhale (Theorems link concepts; proofs establish links)
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To: mrsmith
Shhh, don't be a killjoy. This is already an amusing thread.


LOL...... heck all malcontents need something to crow about once in a while. Especially when their candidates can't get elected.....

I wonder what they'll find in the other 900 or so locations that they've not inspected yet. Someone from the military was talking about the process and said they've maybe been to 100 or so locations that had been identified as potential sites for WMD. You reckon a dog kennel will turn up yet?
57 posted on 04/24/2003 3:56:54 PM PDT by deport
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To: DougF
However, we need to find them. Otherwise any American intelligence used to justify other actions will be looked at with much suspicion by not only the intl community, but by the American public.

Good point.

58 posted on 04/24/2003 3:57:35 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: John Lenin
Let's not re-imagine reality. The reason was NOT 'regime change'. As we all still remember, W was going to disarm Iraq of its WMD with the UN or without the UN.

Well...
59 posted on 04/24/2003 3:58:25 PM PDT by A Vast RightWing Conspirator
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To: billbears
Why is that again?

I was speaking to the rhetoric regarding WMD which will be harped on by a significant percentage of the American public and the world community. I fully believe that Saddam has produced WMD's in the past and has supported international terrorism and would continue to do so without our intervention. That is a significant enough threat to our national security to justify what was done here whether or not WMD's are found at this point in time.

I don't think that this precludes us from dealing with nations with burgeoning nuclear weapons programs, as necessary.

60 posted on 04/24/2003 3:58:55 PM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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