http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=908214Intelligence report does not say Iraq war has made terrorism worse -- White
House WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 (KUNA) -- Responding to leaked news reports from U.S. intelligence analysts that say the Iraq war has become a primary recruitment vehicle for violent Islamic extremists, White House press secretary Tony Snow on Monday said the report does not say the war in Iraq has made terrorism worse.
Speaking to reporters in Connecticut, where President George W. Bush was campaigning for congressional candidates, Snow said that news accounts have given a false impression that the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) focuses solely on Iraq and terrorism.
"This NIE examines global terrorism in its totality, the morphing of al-Qaeda and its affiliates and other jihadist movements," Snow said. "It assesses that a variety of factors, in addition to Iraq, fuel the spread of jihadism, including longstanding social grievances, slowness of the pace of reform, and the use of the Internet. And it also notes that should jihadists be perceived to have failed in Iraq, fewer will be inspired to carry on the fight".
While administration officials will not discuss what the classified report says, the substance of media reports on the NIE report "is precisely what the President has been saying" -- that al-Qaeda leadership has been hit hard and become more dispersed, with more independent activity; that they are using other means for communication and organization, such as the Internet; and that they have a totalitarian ideology directed at the West and democracies "that tends to unite them," Snow said. (end) rm.
How about you declassify the 5 month old report for us to see, Tony?