| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Harry Hope" |
| Date: |
18 Sep 2004 09:30:40 AM |
| Object: |
Secret Iraq report clashes with Bush's "optimism" |
From The Chicago Sun-Times, 9/17/04:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-intel17.html
Secret Iraq report clashes with Bush's optimism
September 17, 2004
BY TERENCE HUNT
WASHINGTON --
While a new intelligence estimate offers a gloomy assessment of Iraq's
future, President Bush talks instead about brighter days ahead under a
new prime minister and the promise of free elections.
''Freedom is on the march,'' he told a campaign rally Thursday.
Iraq is a daily theme of Bush's campaign speeches, often a springboard
for attacking Democratic rival John Kerry.
But Bush does not speak about the more than 1,000 U.S. deaths, the
highly publicized kidnappings, executions and beheadings, or the dark
scenarios outlined in the highly classified National Intelligence
Estimate that was presented to him in late July.
The new report offers a sobering picture of Iraq's future in terms of
political, economic and security conditions.
In a worst-case scenario, it envisions developments pointing to a
civil war among Iraq's three major populations, the Sunnis, Shiites
and Kurds.
At best, the experts said, Iraq will have a tenuous stability.
A middle-ground estimate envisions increased extremism and
fragmentation that impede efforts to build a central, democratic
government.
Several administration officials confirmed the existence of the
intelligence report, which triggered criticism of Bush from the Kerry
campaign.
Bush has been giving ''a very rosy scenario as to how well Iraq was
going,'' Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) said.
''This report throws a large bucket of cold water over those roses.''
_________________________________________________________
A report which will shortly be buried by the "Liberal" media.
Harry
.
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| User: "Riddick" |
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| Title: Re: Secret Iraq report clashes with Bush's "optimism" |
18 Sep 2004 01:44:10 PM |
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Harry, thanks for the post. Here's more about GOP nonsupport of
Dubya's morass:
GOP senators say request to shift Iraq funding bodes ill
By David Stout The New York Times
Washington - Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
said Wednesday that the Bush administration's request to divert more
than $3 billion from reconstruction work in Iraq to security measures
was a sign that the American campaign in Iraq is in serious trouble.
"Although we recognize these funds must not be spent unwisely," the
committee chairman, Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said, "the slow pace
of reconstruction spending means that we are failing to fully take
advantage of one of our most potent tools to influence the direction
of Iraq."
Lugar expressed his concerns as two State Department officials came
before the committee seeking permission to divert more than $3.4
billion in reconstruction funds to security efforts. The request came
a day after one of the bloodiest days in Iraq in recent months.
The $3.4 billion is part of an $18 billion package approved by
Congress last year for public- works projects such as water and
electrical facilities. The $18 billion in turn is part of an $87
billion package that Congress passed for the U.S.-led efforts in
Afghanistan and Iraq.
Lugar said the Iraqi people are looking for signs of stability as
elections in their country draw near.
"Few signs of stability are more convincing than successful
reconstruction projects that boost the economy, repair infrastructure
and restore municipal services," Lugar said.
"If the shift of these funds slows down reconstruction, security may
suffer in the long run," Lugar said.
A White House official asserted on Wednesday that progress is being
made in Iraq.
"You know, every step of the way in Iraq there have been pessimists
and hand-wringers who said it can't be done," Scott McClellan, the
chief White House spokesman, said at a news briefing.
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E6439%257E2404338,00.html
"You know, every step of the way in Iraq there have been pessimists
and hand-wringers who said it can't be done," Scott McClellan, the
chief White House spokesman, said at a news briefing.
So, Scott, are you telling the American people that Iraq and our
troops are better off now?
Harry Hope <rivrvu@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message news:<4jhok0pjfjadsu4kfi4f5kp6m5fcrnodq3@4ax.com>...
From The Chicago Sun-Times, 9/17/04:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-intel17.html
Secret Iraq report clashes with Bush's optimism
September 17, 2004
BY TERENCE HUNT
WASHINGTON --
While a new intelligence estimate offers a gloomy assessment of Iraq's
future, President Bush talks instead about brighter days ahead under a
new prime minister and the promise of free elections.
''Freedom is on the march,'' he told a campaign rally Thursday.
Iraq is a daily theme of Bush's campaign speeches, often a springboard
for attacking Democratic rival John Kerry.
But Bush does not speak about the more than 1,000 U.S. deaths, the
highly publicized kidnappings, executions and beheadings, or the dark
scenarios outlined in the highly classified National Intelligence
Estimate that was presented to him in late July.
The new report offers a sobering picture of Iraq's future in terms of
political, economic and security conditions.
In a worst-case scenario, it envisions developments pointing to a
civil war among Iraq's three major populations, the Sunnis, Shiites
and Kurds.
At best, the experts said, Iraq will have a tenuous stability.
A middle-ground estimate envisions increased extremism and
fragmentation that impede efforts to build a central, democratic
government.
Several administration officials confirmed the existence of the
intelligence report, which triggered criticism of Bush from the Kerry
campaign.
Bush has been giving ''a very rosy scenario as to how well Iraq was
going,'' Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) said.
''This report throws a large bucket of cold water over those roses.''
_________________________________________________________
A report which will shortly be buried by the "Liberal" media.
Harry
.
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