Iraq Dossier Was Hardened Up After E-mail from Blair's Aide

[kskiska]

The September dossier that made the case for war against Iraq was strengthened at the last moment following a request from Downing Street to remove the qualification that Saddam Hussein would only use chemical and biological weapons if attacked.

The change, which followed a memo from Jonathan Powell, the Prime Minister's chief of staff, was carried out without the specific consent of all members of the Joint Intelligence Committee, Britain's supreme intelligence body.

It left the impression that Saddam was prepared to use the weapons in an attack, rather than as a last resort if his regime were under threat.

The crucial alteration was disclosed to the Hutton Inquiry yesterday during the cross-examination of John Scarlett, the chairman of the JIC, and the man charged with the dossier's production. He admitted that on Sept 19 last year, five days before the dossier was published, he changed the passage in a final draft without consulting the committee.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/09/24/nkell24.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/09/24/ixnewstop.html

[DrBB]

1. Goddamit

Yup, I believe they were just like the Pentagon PNACers, pushing the intel as far as it would go and then--anybody looking? No? Go for it!--just that little bit more.

And you know what? This SUCKS. Because it is NOT good for moderate (let alone liberal) government in the UK or here.

Blair, let's face it, was the best thing that ever happened to Labour. If you count being in power, as opposed to carping from the sidelines, as a benefit. Yes he's farther to the right (now known as the "center") than I'd like. But he's a far cry from Thatcher--anybody remember her?

So he goes down, maybe. (Plenty still say, no way, but if last week's election was a bellwether, look out below.) I used to think that would be good for us over here--that he's been so closely identified with the NeoCon Iraq policy that Tony's demise would undermine the Flying Chimp. And especially if, as everyone said, it would be a matter of him being replaced by someone else in Labour.

But there isn't anyone else in Labour, as I understand it--Tony has made sure all the viable ones are as tainted by his Iraq policy as he is.

And over here, all this is being reported, if at all, as some misty and distant happening of no particular relevance to us. "Tony in trouble--something to do with Iraq I think." Like when your mom tells you a distant cousin's aunt is being treated for cancer. "You remember her--she used to vist every other year when you were in diapers."

It's a patented Roveian have-your-Tony-and-devour-him-too strategy. First he sucks up to us like a forelock-tugging lacky, then we use him, watch him get discredited for doing everything we told him to do, and then laugh as he's replaced by one of those nice Tories we get along with so well.

Well, I guess this news won't help the Bush position on Iraq any. But I wish it would hurt him more than it does. And much as I despise Blair for what he's allowed ShrumpCorp to turn him into, I can't quite conjure up a victory dance over it.

edit: clarity

[Proudtobeprogressive]

2. I can!

Tony Blair and his ilk deserve what is coming. A couple of points.
1. The conservatives do not have a chance to regain power.
2. Senator Bennett(ID) used Blair when he went after Kennedy today. It was disgusting. Paraphrasing, "So Ted was Tony Blair down in Texas planning this fraud with Republicans?"

Fuck Blair, Hoon, Straw, Campbell and all the other criminals in the LLC(Labour Leadership Council?)