"Inaccurate intelligence"

[occuserpens]

Just a few days ago, Sen.Edwards admitted that he was wrong in his support for the Iraqi war. Yes, this is a very good step. The problem is, this was explained by "inaccurate intelligence". This way, one can think that just a few paragraphs were wrong in certain documents on the Iraqi WMD, Hussein-Al-Queda links, etc. But we know that the actual situation is completely different, the whole bulk of official regional analysis on Iraq and the ME is completely wrong, not just a few specific statements.

Further, there is a suggestion to look for some right way in Iraq which is supposed to lead to "relatively stable, largely self-sufficient, comparatively open and free" Iraqi society. All this would make perfect sense if regional analysis was just "inaccurate". The problem is, decisions on the ME are based on neoconservative fabrications - which have zero, zilch, nothing to do with the real world!

Back to the late 2004, Kerry and Edwards did basically nothing to dispute the results of heavily rigged elections. Instead, dems fully cooperated with neocons in the global hysteria on "Kuchma's vote-rigging" and Ukrainian orange revolution. The question is, what was the quality of regional analysis, did it cover the Ukrainian and post-Soviet situation properly - or it was just propaganda? Nobody cared to ask this question seriously. Not surprisingly, current developments in the post-Soviet space have nothing to do with orangist enthusiasm of the late 2004.

Now we have exactly the same situation with NGO activities in Russia. Basically, Western NGOs are supposed to promote Russian orangism. The problem is, no reasonable regional analysis will confirm that it is a good idea in the first place. So, we are looking for more, more and more of the same "inaccurate intelligence".

1. WPost. John Edwards. The Right Way in Iraq
The argument for going to war with Iraq was based on <u>intelligence that we now know was inaccurate</u>. The information the American people were hearing from the president -- and that I was being given by our intelligence community -- wasn't the whole story. Had I known this at the time, I never would have voted for this war.
What is success? I don't think it is Iraq as a Jeffersonian democracy. I think it is an Iraq that is relatively stable, largely self-sufficient, comparatively open and free, and in control of its own destiny.
A plan for success needs to focus on three interlocking objectives: reducing the American presence, building Iraq's capacity and getting other countries to meet their responsibilities to help.
2. JRL. Letter from Senator Edwards and Secretary Kemp to President Bush

[JuniperLea]

1. Lame excuses

we should only have people in high places, wielding power who are smart enough to discern between accurate and inaccurate intelligence. I'd loose my job over such sloppy work!