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October 4, 2004
Before its invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration repeatedly charged that Iraq was reconstituting its nuclear weapons program. Top officials pointed to the purchase of high-strength aluminum tubes as definitive evidence that Iraq was attempting to enrich uranium. But the New York Times blew the White House line apart this weekend reporting that top U.S. nuclear weapons experts strongly contradicted the claim. The tubes, simply put, were the wrong kind for enriching uranium.
- Fact: Iraq was not rebuilding its nuclear weapons program. Iraq's aluminum tubes were the wrong size for a centrifuge and had a special coating to protect them from weather – a fact inconsistent with use in a centrifuge, as it could cause bad reactions with uranium. The tubes were not designed for bomb making.
- The administration continues to deceive the public on Iraq's nuclear program. Appearing on ABC News This Week, Condoleezza Rice said it was still unclear whether Iraq was using the tubes for a nuclear weapons program or for a conventional rocket program – ignoring conclusion the Senate intelligence committee, U.N. investigators and intelligence experts from the U.S." As I understand it, people are still debating this," she stated. Keep in mind that Dr. Rice is the one who briefed the president on Iraq before the war and continues to give him briefings on major national security issues today.
- The administration's continued poor judgment on Iraq puts Americans at risk. By refusing to consider alternative theories and contradictory evidence, the administration showed poor judgment in making the case for war in Iraq. Now, the president wants the American people to "trust" his judgment on Iraq going forward – a difficult position given his track record.
Daily Talking Points is a product of the American Progress Action Fund.
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Daily Talking Points is a product of the American Progress Action Fund. |
