What I Didn't Find in Africa by Joseph C. Wilson 4th

[seemslikeadream]

Thanks Joe, it's been a long 3 1/2 years




Published on Sunday, July 6, 2003 by the New York Times
What I Didn't Find in Africa
by Joseph C. Wilson 4th

Did the Bush administration manipulate intelligence about Saddam Hussein's weapons programs to justify an invasion of Iraq?

Based on my experience with the administration in the months leading up to the war, I have little choice but to conclude that some of the intelligence related to Iraq's nuclear weapons program was twisted to exaggerate the Iraqi threat.

For 23 years, from 1976 to 1998, I was a career foreign service officer and ambassador. In 1990, as chargé d'affaires in Baghdad, I was the last American diplomat to meet with Saddam Hussein. (I was also a forceful advocate for his removal from Kuwait.) After Iraq, I was President George H. W. Bush's ambassador to Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe; under President Bill Clinton, I helped direct Africa policy for the National Security Council.

It was my experience in Africa that led me to play a small role in the effort to verify information about Africa's suspected link to Iraq's nonconventional weapons programs. Those news stories about that unnamed former envoy who went to Niger? That's me.

In February 2002, I was informed by officials at the Central Intelligence Agency that Vice President Dick Cheney's office had questions about a particular intelligence report. While I never saw the report, I was told that it referred to a memorandum of agreement that documented the sale of uranium yellowcake — a form of lightly processed ore — by Niger to Iraq in the late 1990's. The agency officials asked if I would travel to Niger to check out the story so they could provide a response to the vice president's office.

After consulting with the State Department's African Affairs Bureau (and through it with Barbro Owens-Kirkpatrick, the United States ambassador to Niger), I agreed to make the trip. The mission I undertook was discreet but by no means secret. While the C.I.A. paid my expenses (my time was offered pro bono), I made it abundantly clear to everyone I met that I was acting on behalf of the United States government.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. K&R for a REAL American patriot!

:patriot:

[Missy Vixen]

2. K&R for the Wilsons

Thinking of them today as events play out in a courtroom in Washington, DC.

Julie

[H2O Man]

3. Nominated.

Thank you Ambassador Wilson.

[seemslikeadream]

4. Live blogging at Firedoglake

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/16/libby-trial-pregame-show




I. Lewis Scooter Libby, former chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, arrives at Federal Court in Washington on Tuesday.

[DoYouEverWonder]

7. Reading it now

Thanks for the link.

[Sydnie]

8. Wearing his "Outer Limits" tie no less

Who dresses this man? that's the worst tie in the history of ties! :puke:

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

17. I beg your pardon

Have you gotten a look at many of John Kerry's ties?

[Sydnie]

18. Yeah I have

He has his "signature tie" -













in two colors -





What's you're point?

[wryter2000]

5. He's the best. So's his wife.

It wasn't until he published this column that I realized the depths of dishonesty I was seeing in my own government.

[mmonk]

6. .

http://www.wilsonsupport.org/

[peacetalksforall]

9. Let's also congratulate the WIlson's for filing the civil lawsuit. I just

read the Truthout article and there is a quote from one of Libby's lawyers. Sounds like they are goading Fitzgerald into making a case for damage to the country. Fitzgerald said he wouldn't be going that way. If Fitzgerald did bring in the issue of damage - then defense lawyers in the civil case would try to get the issues of damages thrown out - which is what the case is all about?

Well, when you have access to millions of dollars, I guess you buy the best lawyers for Libby - and Cheney.

[mmonk]

10. Concerning the civil suit

"The Wilsons' opposition to the defendants' motions to dismiss is due on January 16, 2007. Then, the defendants' will have the opportunity to file reply briefs by February 15, 2007. Sometime thereafter, U.S. District Court Judge John Bates will schedule an oral argument, during which the judge has the chance to question the lawyers about their arguments. A decision will be expected sometime in the spring, but it is likely that the judge's decision will then be appealed."

http://www.wilsonsupport.org/node/72

[CTyankee]

11. I highly recommend his book "The Politics of Truth"!

I just finished it last night. It was wonderful! It is long but absolutely riveting. All of his service to this country is amazing. I'm hoping for a film of his story, along the lines of "All the President's Men."

[CTyankee]

12. I highly recommend his book "The Politics of Truth"!

I just finished it last night. It was wonderful! It is long but absolutely riveting. All of his service to this country is amazing. I'm hoping for a film of his story, along the lines of "All the President's Men."

[robertpaulsen]

13. Gotta love anyone who speaks truth to power.

That includes you, seemslikeadream!

:hi: :loveya: :hug:

[seemslikeadream]

14. Mario Savio "You've got to put your bodies upon the gears"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Mf9j8co70

[Morgana LaFey]

15. One of the most romantic figures to come along in a very long time

1. National Hero (on at least 2 counts -- facing down Saddam and facing down the Bush/Cheney Regime)
2. Educated
3. Suave
4. Sophisticated
5. Articulate
6. Insightful
7. Smart as a whip
8. Witty
9. Dedicated Professional
10. Drop Dead Gorgeous
11. Utterly dedicated to his lovely wife
12. Gallant and Chivalrous
13. Unbelievably Courageous (see #1)
14. In short: Modern Day White Knight

I don't read them, but if there's not at least ONE romance novel based on the Ambassador, someone is missing the boat big time. It'd probably be the one I could be lured to read.

[Lugnut]

16. K&R

Thanks Joe. :patriot: