|
| quote: | Bush Says Faulty Iraq Data Makes Case Against Iran Tougher
Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush said faulty pre-war intelligence on Iraq's weapons programs is making it tougher for the U.S. to make its case that Iran is trying to develop nuclear arms.
``People will say, if we're trying to make the case on Iran, you know, `Well, the intelligence failed in Iraq; therefore, how can we can trust the intelligence in Iran?''' the president said at a news conference today at the White House.
Iran is pressing ahead with plans to enrich uranium for nuclear fuel in the face of opposition from the U.S., Europe and Israel. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad contends his country has a ``legitimate right'' to generate electricity from nuclear power plants, while Bush argues that the Iranians are taking steps to develop nuclear weapons. Talks between the European Union and Iran are scheduled to resume Dec. 21.
Bush was asked whether the failure to turn up evidence of biological or chemical weapons in Iraq after Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled is hindering the U.S. in dealing with future threats such as Iran or North Korea.
``No question that the intelligence failure on weapons of mass destruction caused all intelligence services to have to step back and re-evaluate the process of gathering and analyzing intelligence,'' Bush said. ``Where it is going to be most difficult to make the case is in the public arena.''
The U.S. is pursuing diplomatic efforts to thwart Iran's nuclear program with the help of European governments, Bush said. The U.S. also may take the matter to the United Nations Security Council.
Intelligence and Diplomacy
That path, too, requires rebuilding faith in the collection of intelligence gathering, Bush said. ``The credibility of intelligence is necessary for good diplomacy.''
Bush said there is ``universal agreement'' that Iran shouldn't be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. He said he continues to back a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin that would allow Iran to build a nuclear power plant while keeping uranium fuel in Russian control.
U.S. and European leaders have condemned recent statements by Ahmadinejad, calling for the eradication of Israel and dismissing as a ``myth'' the Nazi Holocaust that killed 6 million Jews during World War II.
To contact the reporters on this story:
Richard Keil in Washington at [email protected][/email];
Roger Runningen in Washington at [email][email protected]
Last Updated: December 19, 2005 13:53 EST |
Bush Says Faulty Iraq Data Makes Case Against Iran Tougher
___________________
|
Anti-Purple Alliance.
