Zinni appears on AnythingButSee's NightLies...It is
significant. It indicates a shift...
"I'm suggesting that either the intelligence was so bad and flawed -- and if that's the case, then somebody's head ought to roll for that -- or the intelligence was exaggerated or twisted in a way to make a more convenient case to the American people," Zinni said on ABC's "Nightline."
Friday September 26, 06:49 AM
Ex-Centcom head questions Iraq intelligence
Click to enlarge photo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The former head of U.S. Central
Command says that he has concerns about the
credibility of intelligence used as the basis for the
U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Retired Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni questioned
claims that ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein had
weapons of mass destruction and that he was an
imminent threat -- President George W. Bush's major
justification for going to war.
"I'm suggesting that either the intelligence was so
bad and flawed -- and if that's the case, then
somebody's head ought to roll for that -- or the
intelligence was exaggerated or twisted in a way to
make a more convenient case to the American people,"
Zinni said on ABC's "Nightline."
"If there's a strategic decision for taking down Iraq,
if it's the so-called neoconservative idea that taking
apart Iraq and creating a democracy, or whatever it
is, will change the equation in the Middle East, then
make the case based on this," said Zinni, who as
Central Command chief had military responsibility for
the Middle East.
The four-star general said he still does not believe
that ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein posed an
imminent threat or that he possessed chemical,
biological or nuclear weapons.
"I believe that what Saddam had was the framework for
a weapons of mass destruction program that could be
quickly activated once sanctions were lifted," Zinni
told ABC.
U.S. forces have been searching for such weapons in
Iraq for more than five months. None has so far been
found.
Zinni also expressed concern about the security
situation in Iraq and said he was worried about the
lack of planning for the postwar era. Guerrilla
attacks have killed 79 U.S. soldiers in Iraq since
Washington declared major combat over on May 1.
Before his retirement in 2000, Zinni drew up invasion
plans that he said called for considerably more troops
than the 140,000 now in Iraq.
"The plan was criticised by this Pentagon as
overestimating the amount of troops. ... But actually,
the plan had those troops built into it because we
looked at the security requirements immediately
afterwards," he said.
While expressing scepticism over how the United States
got into Iraq, Zinni said withdrawing was not an
option.
"We can't fail in Iraq. We have to live up to this
commitment," he said. "But what we need now is a very
detailed plan."