The Senate Intelligence Committee Report roundup

On the second page of the report’s conclusions: “The committee found no evidence that the [intelligence community’s] mischaracterization or exaggeration of weapons of mass destruction capabilities was the result of political pressure.”

Salient points at Winds of Change (I quote directly)

• Wilson’s trip to Africa did not “debunk” the administration position that Iraq was attempting to purchase uranium from Niger – in fact it strengthened this position
  

• the CTC believed (and still does) that there were definite ties between Iraq and al-Qaeda, whereas the NESA is far more skeptical on this count
  

• The report reveals Iraqi plans to bomb Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague from 1998-2003
  

• Neither Abu Zubaydah and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed denied the existence of a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaeda (a key point since the 9/11 Commission based one of their conclusions on their testimony)
  

• It appears that Saddam Hussein issued a standing offer of safehaven for bin Laden in 1999
  

• This report specifically undercuts some of the 9/11 Commission’s key findings with respect to Iraq and al-Qaeda. It cites post-1999 contacts between Iraq and al-Qaeda, which the 9/11 commission claims to possess no information on
  

• Also, this demolishes 2 of Richard Clarke’s key claims with respect to Iraq: that there was no Iraqi involvement in terrorism post-1993, and that there is no evidence whatsoever of Iraqi support for al-Qaeda. Both of these claims, to put it quite simply, can now be shown to be factually untrue.

Front Page writes about Wilson’s lies.

Burton Terrace itemizes what the facts are.

Red Line Rants tells us about a recent conversation in DC.

Steyn points out “This isn’t an anti-war movement. This is a movement in denial”.

The WSJ wants the Senate to recommend dispensing with “national intelligence estimates,” or NIEs.

Maria sent me this article The Senate Intelligence Report: So much for “Bush Lied”