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[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Link: The Lord Butler report.
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Update 1: Here is what the Butler report says on uranium from Niger:


45. From our examination of the intelligence and other material on Iraqi attempts to buy uranium from Africa, we have concluded that:

a. It is accepted by all parties that Iraqi officials visited Niger in 1999.
b. The British Government had intelligence from several different sources indicating that this visit was for the purpose of acquiring uranium. Since uranium constitutes almost three-quarters of Niger’s exports, the intelligence was credible.
c. The evidence was not conclusive that Iraq actually purchased, as opposed to having sought, uranium and the British Government did not claim this.
d. The forged documents were not available to the British Government at the time its assessment was made, and so the fact of the forgery does not undermine it. (Paragraph 503)
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This doesn't say anything that you haven't already said or that I haven't acknowledged. So what?

quote:
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Update 2: The Butler report says British intelligence found evidence of contacts, but not cooperation between Saddam and al-Qaeda (note: it is spelled al-Qaida in the report). The JIC was quite prescient about future threats in Iraq, though, when it warned against terrorists flocking into Iraq already on March 12, 2003

Reporting since [February] suggests that senior Al Qaida associate Abu Musab alZarqawi has established sleeper cells in Baghdad,to be activated during a US occupation of the city. These cells apparently intend to attack US targets using car bombs and other weapons. (It is also possible that they have received CB materials from terrorists in the KAZ.) Al Qaida-associated terrorists continued to arrive in Baghdad in early March.
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Now you're changing the subject, but whatever. So what? Everyone except Dick Cheney now agrees that there were some contacts but no cooperation. Unclear what the second paragraph has to do with anything.

quote:
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Update 3: It now appears unlikely that Saddam Hussein had actual stockpiles of WMDs, Lord Butler concludes, but the Iraqi regime

a. Had the strategic intention of resuming the pursuit of prohibited weapons programmes, including if possible its nuclear weapons programme, when United Nations inspection regimes were relaxed and sanctions were eroded or lifted.

b. In support of that goal, was carrying out illicit research and development, and procurement, activities, to seek to sustain its indigenous capabilities.

c. Was developing ballistic missiles with a range longer than permitted under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions; but did not have significant - if any - stocks of chemical or biological weapons in a state fit for deployment, or developed plans for using them. (Paragraph 474).
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So? You think this supports you in some way?

At least you seem to now be acknowledging that Wilson's credibility is unimportant.