Bush to Declassify Iraq Intelligence Report
Bush to Declassify Iraq Intelligence Report
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
 WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2006 – Sending the U.S. military into Iraq was not a mistake, and if America had never gone into Iraq, terrorists would still be active and would still be promoting their radical movement, President Bush said here today.
To dispel rumors and speculation about the findings of a National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, which was recently leaked to the media, Bush announced today that he is declassifying the document so the public can draw their own conclusions.
“You can read it for yourself. We'll stop all the speculation, all the politics about somebody saying something about Iraq, you know, somebody trying to confuse the American people about the nature of this enemy,” Bush said during a joint news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the White House.
The media has reported that the classified report, which was completed in April, finds that the Iraq war increased the terrorist threat to the United States. Bush said he agrees that because of coalition successes against the leadership of al Qaeda, the enemy is becoming more diffuse and independent in Iraq, but said he does not believe that there would be less terrorism in the world if America had not gone into Iraq.
“To suggest that if we weren't in Iraq, we would see a rosier scenario with fewer extremists joining the radical movement requires us to ignore 20 years of experience,” Bush said. “We weren't in Iraq when we got attacked on September the 11th. We weren't in Iraq, and thousands of fighters were trained in terror camps inside (Afghanistan.) We weren't in Iraq when they first attacked the World Trade Center in 1993. We weren't in Iraq when they bombed the (USS) Cole. We weren't in Iraq when they blew up our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.”
If the U.S. weren’t in Iraq, the terrorists would find other places to attack, because they have a history of killing to achieve their objectives, Bush said. Going on the offense against these terrorists is the only solution that will keep America safe, he said.
“This government is going to do whatever it takes to protect its homeland,” he said. “The best way to protect America is defeat these killers overseas so we do not have to face them here at home. We're not going to let lies and propaganda by the enemy dictate how we win this war.”
Karzai also defended U.S. action in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying that terrorism existed long before Sept. 11, and more action needs to be taken around the world to get rid of extremists.
For years, extremist forces have been killing people in Afghanistan and the surrounding region, closing schools, burning mosques, uprooting vineyards, and forcing populations to poverty and misery, Karzai said. The terrorists came to America on Sept. 11, but they were attacking U.S. interests abroad for many years before that, he noted.
“We are a witness in Afghanistan as to what they are and how they can hurt,” Karzai said, likening that to Americans witnessing the Sept. 11, 2001, attack in New York. “You were a witness in New York,” he said. “Do you forget people jumping off the 80th floor or 70th floor when the planes hit them?
“Who did that? And where are they now? And how do we fight them? How do we get rid of them, other than going after them? Should we wait for them to come and kill us again?” Karzai asked. “That's why we need more action around the world, in Afghanistan and elsewhere, to get them defeated --- extremism, their allies, terrorists and the likes of them.”
Other Opinions
it was a good thing that bush sent us into iraq or else we would still be getting domped.
thats probably the only thing that bush has done that is smart
This is probably the most moronic thing that has ever happened. It's has been proven for countless years that these people stand strongly by their convictions; morally, religiously, etc. Has the problem stopped? Who are we killing? Both sides are losing families and homes here. This is an endless war.
I wipe everytime I use the restroom, it's been conditioning since I was a child. If anyone told me to do otherwise, better or not, I'd probably be confused and ignore them. How can the people of Iraq, under what they consider as normalcy, change? Have the bombs and killing innocent people shown them the light?
Are we truly worthy of the power that we have. Our standards for society are drastically lower than a handful of countries.
Of course Bush insists on continuing the war; he's not doing it himself 'nor losing anyone from it.
bush should worry about his own country and stop sending our troops over there to die....these people have been fighting for thousands of years. It's not gonna change....Life is too short to be fighting a war that we have no business being in, we already caught sadamm and he's being persecuted for his crimes....thats probably the best thing we couldve done for iraq, we need to focus on finding bin ladin...after all it was him who caused 9/11....But all im hearing is Iraq in the news...OIL!!! thats why...NOBODY'S fuckin stupid Bush
The USA need increse the security into the forces of Irak before the terrorist take the control.
why can't anyone seem to understand a country defending itself? America has a right to do so, especially when these extremists come into OUR yard, and they dont play nice. I dont think some people really understand that these people WILL NOT go away if we simply withdraw our troops. Furthermore, I'd rather fight them BEFORE they come into our country, where they could possibly harm my children, and the rest of my family. So, think about your loved ones, before you say we should bring the brave men and women home.(god bless them all) I know I dont want my kids having to try to defend themselves, and living in fear just like the children in the countries these s.o.b.'s come from.
God help us ALL, if our next president is a right wing idiot that does not have the balls to stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of our great nation. God bless Bush for serving our country well....twice!!
J How and Christina: it is beyond moronic your statements of both "bathroom" manners or that our president is "stupid". First and foremost I agree fully with Big Mac and Josh. A pre-emptive strike is a strike against enemies of the state. Do you want another 9/11. Go on and run it your way. We'll throw away our securities for you to live a life where there is "no War". In what world is there no war. Augustus Ceaser stated " Peace is the time between War." We are in a world of ignorance. Ignorance because our enemies hide themselves in the veil of "righteousness" and because of people, like yourselves, who are "peace loving", perpetuate the flame of ignorance, because all you'll ever do is whine about this and that. It doesn't matter if we are at war, all you want is to selfishly think that thing will work themselves out! WRONG! Clinton did it with NoKo and look where we are at. STARING down the barrel of a load nucleur weapon. Its idiotic to think that we are to allow things to continue it current course. People are dying to allow you to speak your minds and all you do is whine. Let me ask you this. Do you look forward to the next attack. What if that next attack happen to occur in your home...your family...you... What would you do. Allow it to continue? Attack those in charge? Get in, get out before the conflict is resolve ? Or be a man (woman) and see this through to the bitter end!? Extremist don't speak through terms of diplomacy, its through terror. And all the fancy words in the world won't rewind time to before 9/11. Think about it, if you wanted it so badly, would you stop and let the moment go by idly as you wait. They don't want to talk they want to destroy US...and you are doing their dirty work!
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