Sir Richard Dalton, Britain's ambassador in Tehran from 2003-06, has told the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq war that both the UK and US misread the intentions of Iran in the run up to the war.
Blair and Bush pushed the line that Iran would be hostile to the Iraq venture, when in fact Iran wanted the venture to succeed in order for a stable government to be formed and to ensure that US troops did not remain too long in the area.
Sir Richard said that Blair made "a series of very bad decisions" about the legality of the 2003 invasion.
Blair told Chilcot in January:
"What happened in the end was that they did because they both had a common interest in destabilising the country, and for Iran I think the reason they were interested in destabilising Iraq was because they worried about having a functioning majority Shia country with a democracy on their doorstep."
Sir Richard contradicted this:
"From what I saw of his evidence, I thought he very much exaggerated this factor."
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tactical Error
It seems that Saddam Hussein allowed the world to believe the US claims that he had WMD, in order to deter Iran from launching an attack.
This at least is the view of George Piro, the FBI agent who interviewed Saddam after his 2003 capture.
Piro also claims that Saddam was surprised by the US invasion.
Piro is quoted in CBS 60 Minutes as saying:
"He told me he initially miscalculated ... President Bush's intentions. He thought the United States would retaliate with the same type of attack as we did in 1998 ... a four-day aerial attack.
He survived that one and he was willing to accept that type of attack."
Now the Iraqi people have to deal with the consequences of the errors of Saddam and the US.
This at least is the view of George Piro, the FBI agent who interviewed Saddam after his 2003 capture.
Piro also claims that Saddam was surprised by the US invasion.
Piro is quoted in CBS 60 Minutes as saying:
"He told me he initially miscalculated ... President Bush's intentions. He thought the United States would retaliate with the same type of attack as we did in 1998 ... a four-day aerial attack.
He survived that one and he was willing to accept that type of attack."
Now the Iraqi people have to deal with the consequences of the errors of Saddam and the US.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Iran Shuts Some Iraq Borders
Iran closed major border crossings with northeastern Iraq on Monday, to protest against the U.S. detention of Mahmudi Farhadi an Iranian official that the military accuses of weapons smuggling.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Israel Warned US Not To Invade Iraq
It seems that back in 2001 Israeli officials warned the Bush administration that an invasion of Iraq would destabilise the region, and wanted the US to focus its attention on the "main enemy" Iran.
That at least is the case according to the Asia Times.
The "good" news is that the Israelis now have their wish, President Shrub is now focusing on Iran; despite the fact that Iraq and Afghanistan are seriously out of control.
Mission accomplished!
That at least is the case according to the Asia Times.
The "good" news is that the Israelis now have their wish, President Shrub is now focusing on Iran; despite the fact that Iraq and Afghanistan are seriously out of control.
Mission accomplished!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Cheney Organising Coup
Those of you who are fed up with the Iraq war, may be "pleased" to know that there will soon be another war to occupy your waking hours.
It would seem that Dick Cheney is trying to organise, in all but name, a coup against President Bush and start a war with Iran.
Source: The Washington Note
It would seem that Dick Cheney is trying to organise, in all but name, a coup against President Bush and start a war with Iran.
Source: The Washington Note
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Halliburton Move
Halliburton announced on Sunday that it plans to open a new corporate headquarters in Dubai.
Some US lawmakers have raised concerns that Halliburton, which is the Pentagon's largest contractor in Iraq and holds a logistics contract valued at over $25BN, might be able to reduce its tax burden by moving its headquarters to Dubai.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., asked whether it might really be a back-door way to enable Halliburton to expand its business dealings with Iran or avoid paying U.S. taxes.
Halliburton used to employ US Vice President Dick Cheney.
Some US lawmakers have raised concerns that Halliburton, which is the Pentagon's largest contractor in Iraq and holds a logistics contract valued at over $25BN, might be able to reduce its tax burden by moving its headquarters to Dubai.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., asked whether it might really be a back-door way to enable Halliburton to expand its business dealings with Iran or avoid paying U.S. taxes.
Halliburton used to employ US Vice President Dick Cheney.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Aziz Blames Iran
Tarik Aziz, who was Saddam Hussein's foreign minister and deputy prime minister, has claimed that there "was no genocide" against Iraqi Kurds and blamed Iran for the 1988 poison gas attack on a Kurdish town.
Aziz was appearing before a special tribunal, and claimed that Iraq did not possess the nerve agents that were used to kill an estimated 5,000 people in Halabja.
Quote:
"You can check with experts.
There was no genocide against the Kurds Those defendants were honest officers who defended their country and fought Iran."
Aziz called Saddam a "hero and patriot for Iraq sovereignty."
Aziz was appearing before a special tribunal, and claimed that Iraq did not possess the nerve agents that were used to kill an estimated 5,000 people in Halabja.
Quote:
"You can check with experts.
There was no genocide against the Kurds Those defendants were honest officers who defended their country and fought Iran."
Aziz called Saddam a "hero and patriot for Iraq sovereignty."
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
The Fumbled Execution
President Bush dug deep into his dictionary and emotions yesterday, when he criticised the recent hanging of Saddam Hussein's' aides, and described Saddam's manner of execution as "fumbled".
Quote:
"I was disappointed and felt like they fumbled the particularly the Saddam Hussein execution."
He added that the execution of Saddam was like "kind of a revenge killing".
Bush claims that he had expressed disappointment to Prime Minister al-Maliki about the way Saddam's execution was handled.
"The message is that it's a confusing message.
It basically says to people, 'Look, you conducted a trial and gave Saddam justice that he didn't give to others. But then, when it came to execute him, it looked like it was kind of a revenge killing.' And it sent a mixed signal to the American people and the people around the world.
And it just goes to show that this is a government that has still got some maturation to do."
It is unlikely that Prime Minister al-Maliki will heed these comments, or indeed care very much. The new administration in Iraq is now busy making friends with Iran.
It would seem that President Bush is beginning to realise that the form of democratic government that he hoped would take root in Iraq, after the removal of Saddam, is not taking the form that he would have wished for.
Doh!
Quote:
"I was disappointed and felt like they fumbled the particularly the Saddam Hussein execution."
He added that the execution of Saddam was like "kind of a revenge killing".
Bush claims that he had expressed disappointment to Prime Minister al-Maliki about the way Saddam's execution was handled.
"The message is that it's a confusing message.
It basically says to people, 'Look, you conducted a trial and gave Saddam justice that he didn't give to others. But then, when it came to execute him, it looked like it was kind of a revenge killing.' And it sent a mixed signal to the American people and the people around the world.
And it just goes to show that this is a government that has still got some maturation to do."
It is unlikely that Prime Minister al-Maliki will heed these comments, or indeed care very much. The new administration in Iraq is now busy making friends with Iran.
It would seem that President Bush is beginning to realise that the form of democratic government that he hoped would take root in Iraq, after the removal of Saddam, is not taking the form that he would have wished for.
Doh!
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Bush Rehabilitates Saddam
It beggars belief that Bush, surely the worst president in living memory, could further sully his reputation for incompetence.
Yet it appears that he has managed just that.
As if the fiasco of the post Iraq occupation was not bad enough, it seems according to reports that the manner of the state "lynching" of Saddam Hussein (which had been approved of by the US, and endorsed "after the fact" by Bush) has rallied support for Saddam on "Arab Street".
Bush has succeeded in reversing Saddam's image from that of failed dictator, to Arab martyr. No wonder Saddam had a smile on his face as he approached the gallows.
It should also be noted that it is reported that Bush has not actually seen the video of Saddam's execution.
As to the future, those of you who think that the failure in Iraq has taught Bush anything will be sorely disappointed. He is currently rallying an alliance of Saudi Arabia, Israel and the UK to take action against Iran.
The newly elected Congress and Senate in the US will need to get its act together very quickly, if it is to stop Bush starting something that would make the Iraq debacle look like a stunning success.
Yet it appears that he has managed just that.
As if the fiasco of the post Iraq occupation was not bad enough, it seems according to reports that the manner of the state "lynching" of Saddam Hussein (which had been approved of by the US, and endorsed "after the fact" by Bush) has rallied support for Saddam on "Arab Street".
Bush has succeeded in reversing Saddam's image from that of failed dictator, to Arab martyr. No wonder Saddam had a smile on his face as he approached the gallows.
It should also be noted that it is reported that Bush has not actually seen the video of Saddam's execution.
As to the future, those of you who think that the failure in Iraq has taught Bush anything will be sorely disappointed. He is currently rallying an alliance of Saudi Arabia, Israel and the UK to take action against Iran.
The newly elected Congress and Senate in the US will need to get its act together very quickly, if it is to stop Bush starting something that would make the Iraq debacle look like a stunning success.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Video Evidence
Video evidence, showing Kurdish villagers dying from a chemical attack, was shown at yesterday's session of Saddam Hussein's trial.
The video were shot in April 1987 and May 1988, and shows attack helicopters flying low over the mountains as villagers scatter.
The video then showed the aftermath of the chemical attacks; bodies, including a baby.
The defence claims that the government was conducting a legitimate military operation against separatists, who threatened the government while Iraq was at war with Iran.
The trial continues.
The video were shot in April 1987 and May 1988, and shows attack helicopters flying low over the mountains as villagers scatter.
The video then showed the aftermath of the chemical attacks; bodies, including a baby.
The defence claims that the government was conducting a legitimate military operation against separatists, who threatened the government while Iraq was at war with Iran.
The trial continues.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Saddam Linked To Chemical Weapons
The court hosting Saddam Hussein's trial heard from the prosecution yesterday, which presented documents that showed that Saddam's government used banned chemical weapons in the counterinsurgency operation against Iraqi Kurds in the 80's.
The documents, suggest that Saddam's office was kept regularly informed on the effects and characteristics of chemical weapons and approved their use.
A letter dated March 25 1987 from former military intelligence director, Saber Douri, said that the targets "lie in lowlands", and thus would be suitable for using the chemical sarin and mustard gas weapons because the poisons would spread out and stay in place a long time.
The letter was addressed to Saddam's office, and recommended that 33% of the stock be used for the attack with the rest being saved "due to the limited number of special weapons".
Saddam claims that the targets were not Iraqis but agents of Iran.
Another letter showed that a chemical attack had been delayed until the snows thawed, when they would be more effective.
The trial continues.
The documents, suggest that Saddam's office was kept regularly informed on the effects and characteristics of chemical weapons and approved their use.
A letter dated March 25 1987 from former military intelligence director, Saber Douri, said that the targets "lie in lowlands", and thus would be suitable for using the chemical sarin and mustard gas weapons because the poisons would spread out and stay in place a long time.
The letter was addressed to Saddam's office, and recommended that 33% of the stock be used for the attack with the rest being saved "due to the limited number of special weapons".
Saddam claims that the targets were not Iraqis but agents of Iran.
Another letter showed that a chemical attack had been delayed until the snows thawed, when they would be more effective.
The trial continues.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
US Denies Rift With UK
The White House has denied that there is a split between the administrations in London and Washington, as to the future policy on Iraq.
Tony Blair has called for Syria and Iran to help stabilise Iraq, this runs contra to the stated policy in Washington.
Blair also gave his views to the bipartisan US study group, reassessing Washington's policy in Iraq, via video link. He said that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with broad regional support, would pressure Damascus and Tehran to co-operate.
The Iraq Study Group is led by former Secretary of State James Baker, who believes that Washington should talk to its enemies.
Tony Blair has called for Syria and Iran to help stabilise Iraq, this runs contra to the stated policy in Washington.
Blair also gave his views to the bipartisan US study group, reassessing Washington's policy in Iraq, via video link. He said that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with broad regional support, would pressure Damascus and Tehran to co-operate.
The Iraq Study Group is led by former Secretary of State James Baker, who believes that Washington should talk to its enemies.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Dutchman Testifies
Karawan Abdellah, a Dutchman, gave testimony today at Saddam Hussein's trial.
He noted that he had temporarily lost his eyesight, as a result of an alleged chemical attack by Iraqi forces on his northern village almost twenty years ago in March 1988.
Abdellah said that he is still in pain from the injury.
Quote:
"I stayed in a hospital for six months and during this period I wasn't able to see at all."
Adding:
"When I take off my glasses in front of my children, they tell me to wear them again because they get scared of the way my eyes look."
He said that he later received further treatment in the Netherlands, where he applied for asylum and was granted a Dutch passport in 1994.
Saddam briefly cross examined Abdellah, and noted that as Abdellah was a Dutchman not an Iraqi under the law he shouldn't be giving testimony.
Saddam also tried to explain how the Kurds were allied with Iran, but the judge again warned him:
"You embarrass me when you get into such details."
Saddam failed to heed the warning, and had his microphone cut off by the judge.
The trial continues.
He noted that he had temporarily lost his eyesight, as a result of an alleged chemical attack by Iraqi forces on his northern village almost twenty years ago in March 1988.
Abdellah said that he is still in pain from the injury.
Quote:
"I stayed in a hospital for six months and during this period I wasn't able to see at all."
Adding:
"When I take off my glasses in front of my children, they tell me to wear them again because they get scared of the way my eyes look."
He said that he later received further treatment in the Netherlands, where he applied for asylum and was granted a Dutch passport in 1994.
Saddam briefly cross examined Abdellah, and noted that as Abdellah was a Dutchman not an Iraqi under the law he shouldn't be giving testimony.
Saddam also tried to explain how the Kurds were allied with Iran, but the judge again warned him:
"You embarrass me when you get into such details."
Saddam failed to heed the warning, and had his microphone cut off by the judge.
The trial continues.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Compensation Demanded
Ghafour Hassan Abdullah, a Kurdish villager, testified yesterday in Saddam Hussein's trial that he left behind his mother and two sisters as he evaded a 1988 attack by Saddam Hussein's forces.
It was only some years later, that he said that he found their identity cards in a mass grave.
Ghafour Hassan Abdullah said:
"At night, I heard the screaming of women and children."
He then went on to exclaim:
"Congratulations! You are in a cage, Saddam."
Saddam claims that the crackdown was directed against Kurdish guerrillas who were allied with Iran.
Abdullah is demanding compensation for the loss of his family.
Saddam accused Kurdish witnesses of creating ethnic divisions, by alleging chemical attacks and mass arrests in their villages during the Anfal crackdown.
The trial continues.
It was only some years later, that he said that he found their identity cards in a mass grave.
Ghafour Hassan Abdullah said:
"At night, I heard the screaming of women and children."
He then went on to exclaim:
"Congratulations! You are in a cage, Saddam."
Saddam claims that the crackdown was directed against Kurdish guerrillas who were allied with Iran.
Abdullah is demanding compensation for the loss of his family.
Saddam accused Kurdish witnesses of creating ethnic divisions, by alleging chemical attacks and mass arrests in their villages during the Anfal crackdown.
The trial continues.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Saddam Refuses To Enter A Plea
Saddam Hussein's second trial began yesterday. He is accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the alleged anti-Kurdish Anfal campaign in late 1980's.
However, he refused to enter a plea.
He was in the dock with six co-defendants, including; his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, popularly known as "Chemical Ali," for allegedly ordering poison gas attacks against Kurds, especially Halabja attack, former Defence Minister Sultan Hashim Ahmad, former intelligence chief Saber Abdul Aziz al-Douri, former Republican Guard Commander Hussein al-Tirkiti, former Nineveh Provincial Governor Taher Tafwiq al-Ani and former top military commander Farhan Mutlaq al-Jubouri.
The prosecution accused Saddam of ordering the Anfal campaign, and charged all the defendants with war crimes and crimes against humanity for their involvement in the Anfal campaign aimed at clearing the Kurdish along the border with Iran.
Saddam claimed that the special tribunal was illegal and refused to state his identity, only identifying himself as "the president of the republic and commander-in-chief of the armed forces."
He also refused to enter a plea when asked by chief judge Abdullah al-Amiri.
Al-Majid also refused to plead.
Al-Amiri, a Shiite, then entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of them.
The verdict of Saddam's first trial will be given of October 16th. Saddam will face death penalty by hanging if found guilty.
It is unclear whether the sentence would be carried out before the Anfal trial is concluded.
It would have been far better to conduct a Nuremberg style trial, where all crimes would have been placed before the court in one trial.
However, he refused to enter a plea.
He was in the dock with six co-defendants, including; his cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid, popularly known as "Chemical Ali," for allegedly ordering poison gas attacks against Kurds, especially Halabja attack, former Defence Minister Sultan Hashim Ahmad, former intelligence chief Saber Abdul Aziz al-Douri, former Republican Guard Commander Hussein al-Tirkiti, former Nineveh Provincial Governor Taher Tafwiq al-Ani and former top military commander Farhan Mutlaq al-Jubouri.
The prosecution accused Saddam of ordering the Anfal campaign, and charged all the defendants with war crimes and crimes against humanity for their involvement in the Anfal campaign aimed at clearing the Kurdish along the border with Iran.
Saddam claimed that the special tribunal was illegal and refused to state his identity, only identifying himself as "the president of the republic and commander-in-chief of the armed forces."
He also refused to enter a plea when asked by chief judge Abdullah al-Amiri.
Al-Majid also refused to plead.
Al-Amiri, a Shiite, then entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of them.
The verdict of Saddam's first trial will be given of October 16th. Saddam will face death penalty by hanging if found guilty.
It is unclear whether the sentence would be carried out before the Anfal trial is concluded.
It would have been far better to conduct a Nuremberg style trial, where all crimes would have been placed before the court in one trial.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Adjourned Until Monday
The trial of Saddam Hussein heard from two witnesses yesterday.
The first witness, who was a government employee in Dujail in 1982, noted that two names in the list of the 148 people allegedly executed by Saddam's regime in the 1980s are not true, because one of them died in battle with Iran six months after the Dujail assassination.
The second witness was Ali Daiyh Ali's wife, Saddam's co-defendant and former Baath party official, who said that her husband was not a senior official of the Baath party or with the government and he had nothing to do with the detention of Dujail countrymen.
The trial was adjourned until next Monday.
The first witness, who was a government employee in Dujail in 1982, noted that two names in the list of the 148 people allegedly executed by Saddam's regime in the 1980s are not true, because one of them died in battle with Iran six months after the Dujail assassination.
The second witness was Ali Daiyh Ali's wife, Saddam's co-defendant and former Baath party official, who said that her husband was not a senior official of the Baath party or with the government and he had nothing to do with the detention of Dujail countrymen.
The trial was adjourned until next Monday.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Iran Sues Saddam
Iran has filed a lawsuit against Saddam Hussein for the 1980's war against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who is visiting Baghdad, said:
"The two sides (Iran and Iraq), noting the crimes committed by Saddam Hussein's regime in its aggression against the people of Iraq, Iran and Kuwait, confirmed the need to seek justice for that.
To this end the Iranian Republic has passed on to the Foreign Ministry of Iraq a complaint against Saddam and his agents for examination by the Iraqi High Tribunal."
Mottaki gave Iran's support for Iraq's new government, and promised to help it with reconstruction projects.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who is visiting Baghdad, said:
"The two sides (Iran and Iraq), noting the crimes committed by Saddam Hussein's regime in its aggression against the people of Iraq, Iran and Kuwait, confirmed the need to seek justice for that.
To this end the Iranian Republic has passed on to the Foreign Ministry of Iraq a complaint against Saddam and his agents for examination by the Iraqi High Tribunal."
Mottaki gave Iran's support for Iraq's new government, and promised to help it with reconstruction projects.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Trial Resumes
The trial of Saddam Hussein resumed yesterday, during the session prosecutors claimed that expert witnesses have stated that Saddam signed the death warrants for 148 Shias in Dujail in 1982.
The prosecution read out a report by experts, who said the signature on the orders matched the writing of Saddam.
The defence team disputed the claim.
Saddam Hussein sat in a metal pen, as the report was presented in court.
Prosecutors said documents with Saddam's signature also included one approving rewards for intelligence agents involved in the 1982 crackdown.
The defence claim that the experts could not be independent, because they had links to Iraq's interior ministry.
They called for a new set to be appointed from any country apart from Iran.
"And Israel" Saddam Hussein interjected.
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday to give the experts more time to study the alleged signatures of Saddam and his former head of the intelligence service, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti.
Tikriti dismissed the prosecution's attempt to prove his role in the Dujail killings, saying his signature was forged.
The trial resumes tomorrow.
The prosecution read out a report by experts, who said the signature on the orders matched the writing of Saddam.
The defence team disputed the claim.
Saddam Hussein sat in a metal pen, as the report was presented in court.
Prosecutors said documents with Saddam's signature also included one approving rewards for intelligence agents involved in the 1982 crackdown.
The defence claim that the experts could not be independent, because they had links to Iraq's interior ministry.
They called for a new set to be appointed from any country apart from Iran.
"And Israel" Saddam Hussein interjected.
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday to give the experts more time to study the alleged signatures of Saddam and his former head of the intelligence service, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti.
Tikriti dismissed the prosecution's attempt to prove his role in the Dujail killings, saying his signature was forged.
The trial resumes tomorrow.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Saddam's Daughter Speaks
Raghad Saddam Hussein, Saddam Hussein's eldest daughter, gave an interview to Al-Arabiya TV in which she has praised her uncle, Barzan Ibrahim, and the others currently on trial with Saddam as "Iraq's real men".
Raghad described the trial as "a farce and unfair", and said:
"My uncle Barzan has been remarkable in court, very courageous and a real hero. He has clarified the wrong impression that was made about Iraqi men. Those who surround my father, they what could be called Iraq's real men, the honourable image that represents our country."
Raghad said that she believed that most Iraqis were not happy with the trial, and those who acted pleased "were chosen by a certain party to reach a certain goal".
She blamed Iran:
"You know the depth that Iranian influence has reached inside this country."
When asked about the outcome of the trial, Raghad said:
"This is the most difficult question. The father is very, very dear, as much as children are dear, my father is dearer to me for sure. It's difficult to predict."
Raghad described the trial as "a farce and unfair", and said:
"My uncle Barzan has been remarkable in court, very courageous and a real hero. He has clarified the wrong impression that was made about Iraqi men. Those who surround my father, they what could be called Iraq's real men, the honourable image that represents our country."
Raghad said that she believed that most Iraqis were not happy with the trial, and those who acted pleased "were chosen by a certain party to reach a certain goal".
She blamed Iran:
"You know the depth that Iranian influence has reached inside this country."
When asked about the outcome of the trial, Raghad said:
"This is the most difficult question. The father is very, very dear, as much as children are dear, my father is dearer to me for sure. It's difficult to predict."
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Secrets For Cash
Naji Sabri, foreign minister to Saddam Hussein pre invasion, reportedly told Western intelligence agencies before the 2003 invasion that Iraq had no active weapons programs, but that it was stockpiling chemical weapons from the Iran-Iraq war.
Sabri was allegedly paid $100K, via a third party, to pass the information on to French intelligence, which shared it with the CIA.
After the invasion Sabri called Britain and the U.S. "outlaws", and accused the coalition of exploiting Iraq for its natural resources.
Sabri was allegedly paid $100K, via a third party, to pass the information on to French intelligence, which shared it with the CIA.
After the invasion Sabri called Britain and the U.S. "outlaws", and accused the coalition of exploiting Iraq for its natural resources.
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