WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
issued the following statement today on media reports this week on the
National Intelligence Estimate for Iraq:
"For more than a decade, intelligence assessments have consistently held
that the challenge in Iraq was not toppling Saddam Hussein by military force,
it was dealing with the aftermath.
"President Bush justified his choice to invade Iraq on the claim that
Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction that posed an imminent threat to
the United States. It has long been clear that no such threat existed. What
is also clear is that, despite ample warning from the State Department,
President Bush had no plan, in fact still has no plan, for dealing effectively
with security in Iraq.
"The costs of President Bush's failure to plan continue to mount -- for
U.S. military personnel in lives lost and wounds suffered, and for the
American taxpayer in billions of dollars spent and billions more to come.
"More than 18 months after the Iraq invasion, the security situation is
getting worse. According to media reports about the most recent National
Intelligence Estimate, its pessimistic tone is so at odds with President
Bush's public statements that the only conclusion to be drawn is that the
President in denial about this assessment. That is why his Administration
policy does not reflect the National Intelligence Estimate, which asserts that
the outcome in Iraq is far from certain. The corner has not been turned;
indeed, it is not even in sight."
SOURCE Office of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
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Related links:
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CONTACT:
Brendan Daly or Jennifer Crider of the Office
of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, +1-202-226-7616
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