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CNN Live Saturday
Senate Committe To Release Report Criticising CIA Intelligence On Iraq
Aired October 25, 2003 - 12:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: Now to Washington, where CIA officials are defending the agency's pre-war intelligence on Iraq. In an exclusive interview, the author of the CIA's pre-war intelligence assessment tells CNN, the intelligence community has done its job and done it well. But other reports say a Senate Committee will, in coming days, issue a scathing report on the information given President Bush about Iraq. More on this now, from CNN's Kathleen Koch at the White House.
So, Kathleen, has the White House prepared a response to this report which is as yet to be issued?
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not a word, Andrea, though there is quite a lot of buzz in Washington about this report and the impact it could have. If, as reported, it does criticize primarily the CIA for offering up to the administration sloppy intelligence, then some believe that could take the heat off the Bush administration, which some critics have charged with exaggerating the potential threat that was posed by Saddam Hussein before the war. The administration, though, is very busy, right now, resuming its PR campaign on Iraq. Touting the fact that the U.S. is having some success in rebuilding and restoring order there. President Bush, for the fourth week in a row, touting coalition progress in his Saturday morning radio address.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Iraqi people are moving steadily toward a free and democratic society. Economic life is being restored to the cities. A new Iraqi currency is circulating. Local governments are up and running. And Iraq will soon begin the process of drafting a constitution with free elections to follow.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
KOCH: The Bush administration is also putting a positive spin on Friday's international donor conference on Iraq. The administration had a very tough job to convince nations, some that opposed the war in Iraq, that they needed to dig deep to help for reconstruction there. And, the U.S. made the case that much of the work needed to be done was not because of damage from the war, but because the country's infrastructure had suffered decades of neglect under the Saddam Hussein regime. But still, many countries, including France, Germany, and Russia declined to participate. The U.S. had hoped to raise $36 billion; it raised only $13 billion, just a third what it hoped for. Still, President Bush called that conference a success. One senior administration official saying the amount raised, quote, "exceeded our expectations."
And next week, as the president returns to the White House, he is planning on refocusing on the domestic agenda, pressing primarily congress for action on some stalled measures and measures stalled in conference committee, measures like the Medicare drug plan and an energy proposal.
Back to you.
KOPPEL: OK, Kathleen Koch for us there at the White House, thanks so much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Intelligence On Iraq>
Aired October 25, 2003 - 12:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: Now to Washington, where CIA officials are defending the agency's pre-war intelligence on Iraq. In an exclusive interview, the author of the CIA's pre-war intelligence assessment tells CNN, the intelligence community has done its job and done it well. But other reports say a Senate Committee will, in coming days, issue a scathing report on the information given President Bush about Iraq. More on this now, from CNN's Kathleen Koch at the White House.
So, Kathleen, has the White House prepared a response to this report which is as yet to be issued?
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not a word, Andrea, though there is quite a lot of buzz in Washington about this report and the impact it could have. If, as reported, it does criticize primarily the CIA for offering up to the administration sloppy intelligence, then some believe that could take the heat off the Bush administration, which some critics have charged with exaggerating the potential threat that was posed by Saddam Hussein before the war. The administration, though, is very busy, right now, resuming its PR campaign on Iraq. Touting the fact that the U.S. is having some success in rebuilding and restoring order there. President Bush, for the fourth week in a row, touting coalition progress in his Saturday morning radio address.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Iraqi people are moving steadily toward a free and democratic society. Economic life is being restored to the cities. A new Iraqi currency is circulating. Local governments are up and running. And Iraq will soon begin the process of drafting a constitution with free elections to follow.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
KOCH: The Bush administration is also putting a positive spin on Friday's international donor conference on Iraq. The administration had a very tough job to convince nations, some that opposed the war in Iraq, that they needed to dig deep to help for reconstruction there. And, the U.S. made the case that much of the work needed to be done was not because of damage from the war, but because the country's infrastructure had suffered decades of neglect under the Saddam Hussein regime. But still, many countries, including France, Germany, and Russia declined to participate. The U.S. had hoped to raise $36 billion; it raised only $13 billion, just a third what it hoped for. Still, President Bush called that conference a success. One senior administration official saying the amount raised, quote, "exceeded our expectations."
And next week, as the president returns to the White House, he is planning on refocusing on the domestic agenda, pressing primarily congress for action on some stalled measures and measures stalled in conference committee, measures like the Medicare drug plan and an energy proposal.
Back to you.
KOPPEL: OK, Kathleen Koch for us there at the White House, thanks so much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Intelligence On Iraq>
