Associated Press – 2004-07-17 12:55:25
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040714/ap_on_go_ot/britain_cia_anonymous_1
London (July 13, 2004) — A CIA official who claims in a book that the West is losing the war on terror said in an interview Tuesday night that the war in Iraq was actually helping al-Qaida. The 23-year veteran of the CIA, who also has spoken with the US media, is releasing the book anonymously and has not identified himself.
“Iraq was a gift of epic proportions to Osama bin Laden and those who think like him,” the man said, his face hidden during the interview on the British Broadcasting Corp. Newsnight show.
The CIA veteran’s claim comes at a time when British Prime Minister Tony Blair is facing the prospect of another potentially critical report to be released on Wednesday on Britain’s participation in the war in Iraq.
The book, Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror, is to be released next month in the United States.
In the BBC interview the official dismisses two arguments that have been made by the Bush administration: that bin Laden and al-Qaeda are “on the run” and that the Iraq invasion has made America safer.
Criticizing the intelligence information used about Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction before the war, the CIA official said: “Currently, we’re in a lose-lose situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. If we stay, we bleed. If we go, the problem festers even worse.”
He urged the United States to debate its policies in the Middle East, including its support for countries such as oil giant Saudi Arabia and its unqualified support for Israel.
“I think before you draft a policy to defeat bin Laden you have to understand that our policies are what drives him and those who follow him,” the official told BBC.
Asked about the recent report of the US Senate Intelligence Committee on Iraq, he said: “If the message about the nature of the evidence was not given to the president, then it’s not a question of bad analysis it’s a question of bad management.”
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Was the Attack on Iraq an Act of Treason? In the book, Imperial Hubris, a veteran CIA operative argues that Bush’s unfounded and catastrophic act of aggression against Iraq constitutes “a gift of epic proportions to Osama bin Laden and those who think like him.” The result has been to leave the US less securer, economically, socially and strategically.
Pyschologist Carol Wolman [cwolman@mcn.org] re-reads the US Constitution and makes the following observations.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
US Constitution Article III Section 3.
It is generally agreed by top generals and CIA agents that the invasion of Iraq has given aid and comfort to Al Qa’eda. Iraq has become a recruiting ground for terrorist enemies of the United States. This was predictable, and predicted by many prior to the invasion.
Rather than removing US soldiers as targets and provocations in Iraq, the US insists on maintaining a large presence there. Rather than relinquish the oil fields of Iraq to the Iraqis, the Bush administration continues to furnish Al Qa’eda with emotional and intellectual ammunition against the United States, by acting like The Great Satan- killing, looting and torturing indiscriminately.
Does the behavior of these people fit the definition of treason against the United States?
