As per the Chicago Tribune
Reporter: "Do you actually just regret your war rhetoric, or do you regret having gone to war with Iraq?"
"I don't regret it at all," Bush replied. "Removing Saddam Hussein made the world a safer place."
"The guy said, 'Now what could you do over?' " Bush said of the Times interviewer. "First of all, you don't get to do things over in my line of work. But I could have used better rhetoric to indicate that, one, we tried to exhaust the diplomacy in Iraq; two, that I don't like war."
The president told French television in an interview taped before his arrival in Paris last week: "Sometimes my rhetoric was a little—was misunderstood. I mean, I can remember saying, you know, 'dead or alive,' which sent ... signals that could be easily misinterpreted."
All very well, but in this world it's actions not words that count.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Fifth Trial
The fifth trial by the Iraqi High Tribunal begins July 21, this trial will cover the 1999 assassination of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr.
Among the defendants are former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and Ali Hassan al-Majid, aka "Chemical Ali."
Aziz, Majid and six other co-defendants currently face charges in the Iraqi High Tribunal on war crimes for the execution of 42 businessmen in 1992.
Among the defendants are former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and Ali Hassan al-Majid, aka "Chemical Ali."
Aziz, Majid and six other co-defendants currently face charges in the Iraqi High Tribunal on war crimes for the execution of 42 businessmen in 1992.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Bush Aide Blasts Bush and Media
Scott McClellan, the former White House press secretary, is to publish a book next week highly critical of The Whitehouse's Iraq venture.
McClellan resigned from the White House on April 19, 2006, after nearly three years as Bush's press secretary.
In "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception" McClellan says that President Bush failed to be "open and forthright on Iraq" and relied on "propaganda" to sell the war.
McClellan claims that Bush and his aides "confused the propaganda campaign with the high level of candor and honesty so fundamentally needed to build and then sustain public support during a time of war."
McClellan also accuses the media of being "probably too deferential to the White House" when it came to public discourse over the choice to invade Iraq.
Adding:
"The collapse of the administration's rationales for war, which became apparent months after our invasion, should never have come as such a surprise...
In this case, the 'liberal media' didn't live up to its reputation. If it had, the country would have been better served."
McClellan resigned from the White House on April 19, 2006, after nearly three years as Bush's press secretary.
In "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception" McClellan says that President Bush failed to be "open and forthright on Iraq" and relied on "propaganda" to sell the war.
McClellan claims that Bush and his aides "confused the propaganda campaign with the high level of candor and honesty so fundamentally needed to build and then sustain public support during a time of war."
McClellan also accuses the media of being "probably too deferential to the White House" when it came to public discourse over the choice to invade Iraq.
Adding:
"The collapse of the administration's rationales for war, which became apparent months after our invasion, should never have come as such a surprise...
In this case, the 'liberal media' didn't live up to its reputation. If it had, the country would have been better served."
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Restraint Urged
Judge Rauf Abdel-Rashid, at the trial of the former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, called on all parties involved in the case yesterday to show self-restraint and maintain professional behaviour during the trial.
Judge Rauf Abdel-Rashid urged the legal teams, defendants and plaintiffs to refrain from mutual abuse and show appropriate behaviour in court.
On Sunday, there were sharp exchanges between Aziz and one of the witnesses, Mahir Rashid.
Rashid said his brother, one of the executed traders, had been killed on the instigation of Aziz's son, who was involved in trading in foreign currencies and saw his brother as a threatening competitor.
Aziz dismissed the accusations and insults were traded.
The trial continues.
Judge Rauf Abdel-Rashid urged the legal teams, defendants and plaintiffs to refrain from mutual abuse and show appropriate behaviour in court.
On Sunday, there were sharp exchanges between Aziz and one of the witnesses, Mahir Rashid.
Rashid said his brother, one of the executed traders, had been killed on the instigation of Aziz's son, who was involved in trading in foreign currencies and saw his brother as a threatening competitor.
Aziz dismissed the accusations and insults were traded.
The trial continues.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Aziz Stands Trial
The trial of Saddam's former Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, and his seven co defendants resumed yesterday in Baghdad.
They are on trial for their alleged roles in the execution of 42 merchants in 1992.
Aziz appeared or himself, without legal representation, as his lawyers have not been granted visas.
Aziz told the court that the trial was based on personal revenge:
"Focusing on the membership of the Revolutionary Command Council means revenge. I know it is a personal revenge."
A guilty verdict carries the death penalty.
They are on trial for their alleged roles in the execution of 42 merchants in 1992.
Aziz appeared or himself, without legal representation, as his lawyers have not been granted visas.
Aziz told the court that the trial was based on personal revenge:
"Focusing on the membership of the Revolutionary Command Council means revenge. I know it is a personal revenge."
A guilty verdict carries the death penalty.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Aziz Due To Appear
Tariq Aziz, the former Iraqi deputy prime minister, is set to appear before the Iraqi High Tribunal tomorrow without the new legal team that he demanded three weeks ago.
Aziz faces charges linked to the execution of 42 Baghdad merchants in 1992.
He may now have to seek a new court date, or represent himself on Tuesday.
His son, Ziad Aziz, who is based in Amman has told the media that French lawyer Jacques Verges, four Italian lawyers and a French-Lebanese attorney will be unable to attend Tuesday's hearing in Baghdad because they have not received their visas.
Aziz faces charges linked to the execution of 42 Baghdad merchants in 1992.
He may now have to seek a new court date, or represent himself on Tuesday.
His son, Ziad Aziz, who is based in Amman has told the media that French lawyer Jacques Verges, four Italian lawyers and a French-Lebanese attorney will be unable to attend Tuesday's hearing in Baghdad because they have not received their visas.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Negligence
Retired judge Arthur Brennan, a former senior US official in Iraq, has accused the State Department of misleading Americans over the true situation in Iraq.
Judge Brennan also alleged that poor performance by the department had led to the loss of billions of dollars, and warned that some of the money could be funding outlaws and insurgents, including the Mehdi Army.
Brennan made his allegations during testimony at a Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on Monday.
Quote:
"The actual policies and performance of the State Department in Iraq were not what they are represented to be.
The Department of State has negligently, recklessly and sometimes intentionally misled the US Congress, the American people and the people of Iraq.
In a sense, the Department of State has contributed to the killing and maiming of US soldiers, the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians; the bolstering of illegal militias, insurgents and Al-Qaeda.
Billions of US and Iraqi dollars have been lost, stolen and wasted, it is likely that some of that money is financing outlaws and insurgents such as the Medhi Army."
James Mattil, chief of staff for the Office of Accountability and Transparency in Baghdad between October 2006 and October 2007, accused the Administration of failing to demand meaningful action from the Iraqi government on fighting corruption.
"It seems reasonable to conclude that the reasons are either, gross incompetence, willful negligence or political intent on the part of the Bush administration and more specifically, the Department of State."
Doubtless history will ultimately judge just how badly thought through and executed the decision to invade and occupy Iraq really was.
Unfortunately by the time that happens, many more people will have died a lot more money will have been wasted and those responsible for the decision and execution will have long since retired and/or died.
Judge Brennan also alleged that poor performance by the department had led to the loss of billions of dollars, and warned that some of the money could be funding outlaws and insurgents, including the Mehdi Army.
Brennan made his allegations during testimony at a Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on Monday.
Quote:
"The actual policies and performance of the State Department in Iraq were not what they are represented to be.
The Department of State has negligently, recklessly and sometimes intentionally misled the US Congress, the American people and the people of Iraq.
In a sense, the Department of State has contributed to the killing and maiming of US soldiers, the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians; the bolstering of illegal militias, insurgents and Al-Qaeda.
Billions of US and Iraqi dollars have been lost, stolen and wasted, it is likely that some of that money is financing outlaws and insurgents such as the Medhi Army."
James Mattil, chief of staff for the Office of Accountability and Transparency in Baghdad between October 2006 and October 2007, accused the Administration of failing to demand meaningful action from the Iraqi government on fighting corruption.
"It seems reasonable to conclude that the reasons are either, gross incompetence, willful negligence or political intent on the part of the Bush administration and more specifically, the Department of State."
Doubtless history will ultimately judge just how badly thought through and executed the decision to invade and occupy Iraq really was.
Unfortunately by the time that happens, many more people will have died a lot more money will have been wasted and those responsible for the decision and execution will have long since retired and/or died.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
The Cost of The Occupation
Aside from the ongoing loss of civilian and military lives, the continuing occupation of Iraq is also having a devastating impact on the finances of the USA.
According to congressional analysts, the eventual total cost of the Iraq war and the occupation could be as high as $ 1.5 trillion (that's TRILLION not BILLION!).
This cost does not include the cost of rebuilding Iraq's shattered infrastructure.
The occupation phase of the Iraq war is costing the United States $1,538 a second, or $92,333 a minute, or $5,540,000 an hour.
Despite that, McCain (were he to become president) wants to keep troops there for up to 100 years.
How does he intend to pay for this?
According to congressional analysts, the eventual total cost of the Iraq war and the occupation could be as high as $ 1.5 trillion (that's TRILLION not BILLION!).
This cost does not include the cost of rebuilding Iraq's shattered infrastructure.
The occupation phase of the Iraq war is costing the United States $1,538 a second, or $92,333 a minute, or $5,540,000 an hour.
Despite that, McCain (were he to become president) wants to keep troops there for up to 100 years.
How does he intend to pay for this?
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Saddam Feared AIDS
Diary extracts published by Al-Hayat indicate that Saddam Hussein feared catching Aids and other STDs, whilst he was in jail.
Seemingly the US guards were using Saddam's washing line to dry clothes, and he demanded that they stop.
Saddam is quoted from his diary:
"I explained to them that they are young and they could have young people's diseases.
My main concern was to not catch a venereal disease, an HIV disease, in this place."
Given the circumstances, that should have been the least of his concerns.
Seemingly the US guards were using Saddam's washing line to dry clothes, and he demanded that they stop.
Saddam is quoted from his diary:
"I explained to them that they are young and they could have young people's diseases.
My main concern was to not catch a venereal disease, an HIV disease, in this place."
Given the circumstances, that should have been the least of his concerns.
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