Book Claims White House Forged War Intel

Ron Suskind's "The Way Of The World" Alleges U.S. Faked Letter That Linked Iraq With 9/11

(CBS)  A new book published Tuesday accuses the White House of trying to manipulate intelligence to support the war in Iraq, reports CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante.

The book, by author Ron Suskind, charges that the Bush White House faked a letter from Saddam Hussein's intelligence chief connecting Iraq with 9/11 and an ongoing nuclear program - neither of which was true.

This letter, in the handwriting of Tahir Jalil Habbush al-Tikriti, is dated July, 2001. It says that Iraqis hosted Mohammed Atta, one of the 9/11 hijackers, who, "displayed extraordinary effort and showed a firm commitment to lead the team which will be responsible for attacking the targets that we have agreed to destroy."

The letter goes on to suggest that Iraq was importing uranium from Niger for a nuclear program.

The book alleges that Habbush, Saddam's intelligence chief, was in CIA protective custody after the 2003 invasion, that the White House ordered CIA officials to have Habbush write and backdate the letter, and paid him $5 million. The author quotes two former CIA officials who claim to have seen a draft of the letter on White House stationery.

Suskind writes: "The idea was to take the letter to Habbush and have him transcribe it in his own neat handwriting on a piece of Iraqi government stationery to make it look legitimate. CIA would then take the finished product to Baghdad and have someone release it to the media."

The letter was released, and published in Britain in December 2003. At the time, U.S. intelligence officials called it a forgery.

Former CIA director George Tenet said in a statement released Monday, "there was no such order from the White House to me. Nor, to the best of my knowledge, was anyone from the CIA ever involved in any such effort."

Tenet went on to say, "The CIA resisted efforts on the part of some in the administration to paint a picture of Iraqi-al Qaeda connections that went beyond the evidence. The notion that I would suddenly reverse our stance and have created and planted false evidence that was contrary to our own beliefs is ridiculous."

A spokesman called the notion that anyone inside the White House directed the forgery "absurd," and attacked the author's credibility, Plante reports.

"Ron Suskind makes a living from gutter journalism. He is about selling books and making wild allegations that no one can verify, including the numerous bipartisan commissions that have reported on pre-war intelligence," the spokesman told Plante.

[zykracosmos]

From the recorded testimony that Suskind has directly from U.S. and British intelligence officials, we have a direct violation of U.S. intelligence running a deception on the American people as commanded by the White House. For the president, it is as impeachable an offense as could be found anywhere. Heads will roll.

[carolina855]

It seems to me this clown should not be allowed to write complete lies. Prosecute him ! Just like Oliver Stone would never be confused with an historian, but the first amendment can only go so far.

[txgrouch2006]

As the Nazis did when they came into power
Posted by leftyintexas at 05:57 PM : Aug 05, 2008


YOU LOSE!!!!!

Sorry, but as I''ve already posted numerous times, Hillary''s own words reveal that she came to this conclusion IN 1998, when her husband changed the US policy toward Iraq to "regime change."

In 1998, Bush wasn''t even CAMPAIGNING for President yet.

Plus, the first one who compares an opponent to a Nazi LOSES. Because it shows you''re out of ideas.

YOU LOSE, MORON.

[ikez78]

Want proof that Saddam was linked to al Qaeda?

see www.regimeofterror.com

That''s
www.regimeofterror.com

[ikez78]

Habbush and Saddam''s #2, Izzat al Douri were BOTH linked to al Qaeda (and BOTH have cooperated with them post invasion as well) and have/had zero reason to admit their cooperation. I''ve followed these two and many other of Saddam''s goons at www.regimeofterror.com for years and of course the media can''t be bothered with getting into the meat and potatoes of Saddam''s boys and al Qaeda members admitting prewar cooperation on online forums and while in custody, not to mention while being caught working together...

[causeway_m]

you don''''t get it he is not scotish.....its joe minutemans imagination....and you made it a fact like the religious freaks ....

Posted by shazam112 at 07:34 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

Once those dittohead get their tiny minds focused on something they''re fixated - that''s why the dolts still believe that Iraq was behind the 9/11 attacks

[causeway_m]

I can''''t change the past. Now go find your rock and crawl back under it. You are now persona non grata causeway. And if you want to vote for the most honest candidate, if available, go for Nader, not McCain or Obama.

Posted by royalia at 07:32 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

well as long as you americans don''t try to get to my nice rock, I miay just stroll off and get some snoozetime

As for voting for NAder - odd thing but this electoral rules thing in jolly ole Murrkkka prevents me from doing that

[shazam112]

Posted by shazam112

shazammy, my little canadian crumpet, if causeway can disparage American, I can only return the favor to Scotland. Think of the favor I am doing by merely mentioning "Scotland" probably more times than anywhere in the world.


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Posted by jgg000 at 07:21 PM : Aug 05, 2008

you don''t get it he is not scotish.....its joe minutemans imagination....and you made it a fact like the religious freaks ....

[royalia]

I can''t change the past. Now go find your rock and crawl back under it. You are now persona non grata causeway. And if you want to vote for the most honest candidate, if available, go for Nader, not McCain or Obama.

[shazam112]

Posted by shazam112 at 07:18 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

thanks for the kind comments shazam-jolly decent of you

however all I do is post facts - doesn''''t take a lot to do that....just an open mind an a willingness to learn .....booth of which are regarded as sin and heresy in these clueless dittohead americans



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Posted by causeway_m at 07:21 PM : Aug 05, 2008


LISTEN causeway what ever I write for your abilities and truthfulness of all the posting that I have read ,its truely from the heart and every word is ment in its entirety,for a man a like you in real life I would stand infront of hail of bullets of the yankee soldiers ....too bad that we are just blogging pals still better than having nothing...anytime any day ever I am here ......for great human beings like you ......

[causeway_m]

are you telling me there are no girls in Scotland?


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Posted by jgg000 at 07:23 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

Oh there are girls in Scotlanns and women - I''d just prefer that you focussed your attention on the bison and dogs and chickens in america......and if you eventually get a taste for fornicating with humans - stick to american women and girls (I don''t really care if you molest american kids - they''re useless trash anyway)

[causeway_m]

Here is a quote from me before the invasion. "I hope he [Bush] knows what he is doing."

Posted by royalia at 07:20 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

wow really stunning criticism that really does divulge the full extent of your "strident opposition" to the war

go find something better to do - like watch paint dry.......I have as little time for you dipsh1ts who claim to oppose the war but support ole McLame because "he''s such a maverick". Undoubtedly 4 years from now you''ll claim you only supported McCain because of your lack of research into him

[jgg000]

I''''''''d lust after sottish chicks if anybody knew of any

Posted by jgg000 at 07:15 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

I''''m sure you lust after animals of all kinds hence your attraction to hairy bison and feathered chickens.......no doubt you''''re also have an unhealthy attraction to furry dogs - you''''re not related to Man on Dog Sanscrotum are you ????

Posted by causeway_m

are you telling me there are no girls in Scotland?

[causeway_m]

Posted by shazam112 at 07:18 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

thanks for the kind comments shazam-jolly decent of you

however all I do is post facts - doesn''t take a lot to do that....just an open mind an a willingness to learn .....booth of which are regarded as sin and heresy in these clueless dittohead americans

[jgg000]

No sir I am not ,I love listening to truth and facts from causeway the great and his brilliant ways which are full of knowledge and awesome display of memeory and speed of his great intelect ,you are totally wrong in calling him scotish ,you never know your ancestors might be trace back to scotland as well,in the old days even enemies had respect for one another you guys are just so close minded that its like wrestling with a bull in spain... give the credit where the credit is due like a good adversary if you understand that principal....I like california rears as well ...

Posted by shazam112

shazammy, my little canadian crumpet, if causeway can disparage American, I can only return the favor to Scotland. Think of the favor I am doing by merely mentioning "Scotland" probably more times than anywhere in the world.

[royalia]

Here is a quote from me before the invasion. "I hope he [Bush] knows what he is doing." Well, he did know what he was doing, but he lied about why he was doing it." Continue your attack on someone who now shares your beliefs about the Bush Administration. I am going stop wasting my time with you and find something better to do. Anyone else read the web site I provided?

[causeway_m]

I''''d lust after sottish chicks if anybody knew of any

Posted by jgg000 at 07:15 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

I''m sure you lust after animals of all kinds hence your attraction to hairy bison and feathered chickens.......no doubt you''re also have an unhealthy attraction to furry dogs - you''re not related to Man on Dog Sanscrotum are you ????

[shazam112]

Posted by shazam112

shazammy, drop another tab of acid, you''''ll think you''''re in Scotland.


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Posted by jgg000 at

No sir I am not ,I love listening to truth and facts from causeway the great and his brilliant ways which are full of knowledge and awesome display of memeory and speed of his great intelect ,you are totally wrong in calling him scotish ,you never know your ancestors might be trace back to scotland as well,in the old days even enemies had respect for one another you guys are just so close minded that its like wrestling with a bull in spain... give the credit where the credit is due like a good adversary if you understand that principal....I like california rears as well ...

[causeway_m]

Also, causeway_m, I am criticizing Bush, did you know that? You''''re right, I am sorry for making a mistake in voting for him.

Posted by royalia at 07:10 PM : Aug 05, 2008"

Over i million Iraqis have been killed or wounded , over 4 million Iraqis have been displaced because of your "mistake" and the mistakes of your fellow fvcking idiot americans and you reckon "sorry" is good enough ??

Dream on dipsh1t - you and your fellow dittoheads (yeah that includes Walter "freedom fries" Jones) deserve to burn for eternity for your fvcking stupidity

And as for your website - those of us who weren''t dumb enough to vote for the codpiece in chief are wella aware of the criminal activities of your beloved leader

[jgg000]

Intriguing considering your attraction and lust for those hairy bison that are called females in america

Posted by causeway_m

I''d lust after sottish chicks if anybody knew of any