Displaying all statements of 81 statement(s) found:

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "[T]he reporting that we had prior to the war this time around was all consistent with that -- basically said that he had a chemical, biological and nuclear program, and estimated that if he could acquire fissile material, he could have a nuclear weapon within a year or two." Source: Transcript of interview with Vice President Dick Cheney, Rocky Mountain News (1/9/2004). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. The statement also failed to mention weeks of intensive inspections conducted directly before the war in which United Nations inspectors found no sign whatsoever of any effort by Iraq to resume its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "If we had had that information and ignored it, if we'd been told, as we were, by the intelligence community that he was capable of producing a nuclear weapon within a year if he could acquire fissile material and ignored it . . . we would have been derelict in our duties and responsibilities." Source: Vice President Dick Cheney Remarks at Luncheon for Congressman Jim Gerlach, White House (10/3/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to provide the context that the U.S. intelligence community believed that Iraq probably would not be able to make a nuclear weapon until near the end of the decade.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "On nuclear there was dissent on the extent of the program and how far along the program might be. How much had he gone to reconstitute? But the judgment of the intelligence community was that he had kept in place his infrastructure, that he was trying to procure items. For instance, there's been a lot of talk about the aluminum tubes but they were prohibited on the list of the nuclear suppliers group for a reason." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (9/28/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "Going into the war against Iraq, we had very strong intelligence. I've been in this business for 20 years. And some of the strongest intelligence cases that I've seen, key judgments by our intelligence community that Saddam Hussein could have a nuclear weapons by the end of the decade, if left unchecked . . . that he was trying to reconstitute his nuclear program." Source: National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice Interview with ZDF German Television, ZDF German Television (7/31/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. The statement also failed to mention weeks of intensive inspections conducted directly before the war in which United Nations inspectors found no sign whatsoever of any effort by Iraq to resume its nuclear program.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "[H]e had . . . an active procurement network to procure items, many of which, by the way, were on the prohibited list of the nuclear suppliers group. There's a reason that they were on the prohibited list of the nuclear supplies group: Magnets, balancing machines, yes, aluminum tubes, about which the consensus view was that they were suitable for use in centrifuges to spin material for nuclear weapons." Source: NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, PBS (7/30/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "I strongly believe he was trying to reconstitute his nuclear weapons program." Source: President Bush, Prime Minister Blair Discuss War on Terrorism, White House (7/17/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. The statement also failed to mention weeks of intensive inspections conducted directly before the war in which United Nations inspectors found no sign whatsoever of any effort by Iraq to resume its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "We said they had a nuclear program. That was never any debate." Source: This Week with George Stephanopoulos, ABC (7/13/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was false because there were deep divisions within the intelligence community on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. The statement also failed to mention weeks of intensive inspections conducted directly before the war in which United Nations inspectors found no sign whatsoever of any effort by Iraq to resume its nuclear program.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "My only point is that, in retrospect, knowing that some of the documents underneath may have been--were, indeed, forgeries, and knowing that apparently there were concerns swirling around about this, had we known that at the time, we would not have put it in. . . . And had there been even a peep that the agency did not want that sentence in or that George Tenet did not want that sentence in, that the director of Central Intelligence did not want it in, it would have been gone." Source: Face the Nation, CBS (7/13/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: Ms. Rice was responding to questions regarding how the claim that Iraq sought uranium in Africa made it into the President's January 28, 2003, State of the Union address. The statement that the Director of Central Intelligence and the CIA did not object to the claim was false. In October 2002, the CIA expressed doubts about the claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to Ms. Rice. Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice’s deputy in October 2002.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "The only thing that was there in the NIE was a kind of a standard INR footnote, which is kind of 59 pages away from the bulk of the NIE. That's the only thing that's there. And you have footnotes all the time in CIA - I mean, in NIEs. So if there was a concern about the underlying intelligence there, the President was unaware of that concern and as was I." Source: Press Gaggle with Ari Fleischer and Dr. Condoleezza Rice En Route Entebbe, Uganda, White House (7/11/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was false. Ms. Rice was claiming in this statement that the doubts intelligence officials had regarding the claim in the National Intelligence Estimate that Iraq sought uranium in Africa were not communicated to her. In fact, following the issuance of the National Intelligence Estimate, the CIA expressed doubts about the uranium claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to Ms. Rice. In addition, shortly after the issuance of the NIE, Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy. Further, the fact that INR objected to the NIE's nuclear statements was noted prominently in the first paragraph of the NIE's key judgments.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "Now, I can tell you, if the CIA, the Director of Central Intelligence, had said, take this out of the speech, it would have been gone, without question. What we've said subsequently is, knowing what we now know, that some of the Niger documents were apparently forged, we wouldn't have put this in the President's speech - but that's knowing what we know now." Source: Press Gaggle with Ari Fleischer and Dr. Condoleezza Rice En Route Entebbe, Uganda, White House (7/11/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: The statement that the CIA did not object to the uranium claim is false. In October 2002, the CIA sent two memos to the White House, including one addressed to Ms. Rice, that raised concerns about the claim. In addition, in October 2002, Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice’s deputy.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "[T]he NIE, which, by the way, the Agency was standing by at the time of the . . . State of the Union, and was standing by at the time of the Secretary's speech, has the yellow cake story in it. . . . Now, if there were doubts about the underlying intelligence to that NIE, those doubts were not communicated to the President, to the Vice President, or to me." Source: Press Gaggle with Ari Fleischer and Dr. Condoleezza Rice En Route Entebbe, Uganda, White House (7/11/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was false. Ms. Rice made this statement in response to a question about why Secretary Powell had decided against using in his February 5, 2003, remarks the claim that Iraq sought to acquire uranium whereas the President had used the claim just a week earlier in his State of the Union address. The October 1, 2002, National Intelligence Estimate Ms. Rice referenced in her statement did contain the uranium claim. However, subsequent to the issuance of the NIE, the CIA expressed doubts about the claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to Ms. Rice. Shortly after the issuance of the NIE, Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice’s deputy.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "So the process is an NIE that is the basis of this, and then if the Agency had reservations about information that was in the NIE, then the DCI -- and I think he will tell you that if he had reservations, he did not make those known to the President, to the Vice President, or to me -- if he had reservations." Source: Press Gaggle with Ari Fleischer and Dr. Condoleezza Rice En Route Entebbe, Uganda, White House (7/11/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was false. Ms. Rice was claiming in this statement that the doubts intelligence officials had regarding the claim in the National Intelligence Estimate that Iraq sought uranium in Africa were not communicated to her. In fact, following the issuance of the National Intelligence Estimate, the CIA expressed doubts about the uranium claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to Ms. Rice. In addition, shortly after the issuance of the NIE, Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "QUESTION: [T]his is what appeared in the Washington Post: "A key piece of evidence linking Iraq to a nuclear weapons program appears to have been fabricated, the United Nations' chief nuclear inspector said in a report that called into question U.S. and British claims about Iraq's secret nuclear ambitions. . . . " In light of that, should the president retract those comments? . . . MS. RICE: The president quoted a British paper. We did not know at the time -- no one knew at the time, in our circles -- maybe someone knew down in the bowels of the agency, but no one in our circles knew that there were doubts and suspicions that this might be a forgery." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (6/8/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: The statement that "no one knew" about the doubts regarding the uranium claim was false. The statement contradicts the fact that the CIA in October 2002 had expressed doubts about the uranium claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to Ms. Rice. Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet in October 2002 also had warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice’s deputy. In addition, the statement contradicts the fact that State Department intelligence officials had stated that this claim was "highly dubious" in the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate that had been provided to top White House officials.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "And there were other attempts to, to get yellow cake from Africa." Source: This Week with George Stephanopolous, ABC (6/8/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought uranium from Africa despite the fact that the CIA expressed doubts about the credibility of this claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. CIA Director George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy. In addition, the statement fails to mention that State Department intelligence officials also concluded that this claim was "highly dubious."

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "At the time that the State of the Union address was prepared, there were also other sources that said that they were, the Iraqis were seeking yellow cake, uranium oxide from Africa." Source: This Week with George Stephanopolous, ABC (6/8/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought uranium from Africa despite the fact that the CIA expressed doubts about the credibility of this claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. CIA Director George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy. In addition, the statement fails to mention that State Department intelligence officials also concluded that this claim was "highly dubious."

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "The intelligence community did not know at that time or at levels that got to us that this, that there was serious questions about this report." Source: This Week with George Stephanopolous, ABC (6/8/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was false. Ms. Rice made this statement in response to the question of how the claim "The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa" made it into the President's January 28, 2003, State of the Union address. Her statement contradicted the fact that the CIA in October 2002 had expressed doubts about the claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to Ms. Rice. Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet also in October 2002 had warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice’s deputy. In addition, Ms. Rice's statement contradicted the fact that State Department intelligence officials had stated that this claim was "highly dubious" in the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate that had been provided to top White House officials.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "We believed then, and we believe now, that the Iraqis . . . had a program to develop nuclear weapons, but did not have nuclear weapons. That is what the United Kingdom's intelligence suggested as well. We still believe that." Source: Town Hall Meeting with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Infinity-CBS Radio (5/29/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. The statement also failed to mention that weeks of intensive inspections conducted directly before the war in which United Nations inspectors found no sign whatsoever of any effort by Iraq to resume its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "QUESTION: What do you think is the most important rationale for going to war with Iraq? VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY: Well, I think I've just given it, Tim, in terms of the combination of his development and use of chemical weapons, his development of biological weapons, his pursuit of nuclear weapons." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (3/16/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. The statement also failed to mention weeks of intensive inspections conducted directly before the war in which United Nations inspectors found no sign whatsoever of any effort by Iraq to resume its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "He's had years to get good at it and we know he has been absolutely devoted to trying to acquire nuclear weapons. And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (3/16/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was false because the intelligence community did not believe that Iraq actually possessed nuclear weapons.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "We know he's out trying once again to produce nuclear weapons . . . ." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (3/16/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. The statement also failed to mention weeks of intensive inspections conducted directly before the war in which United Nations inspectors found no sign whatsoever of any effort by Iraq to resume its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "[H]e has made repeated covert attempts to aquire high-specification aluminum tubes from 11 different countries, even after inspections resumed. These tubes are controlled by the Nuclear Suppliers Group precisely because they can be used as centrifuges for enriching uranium. By now, just about everyone has heard of these tubes and we all know that there are differences of opinion. There is controversy about what these tubes are for. Most US experts think they are intended to serve as rotors in centrifuges used to enrich uranium." Source: Remarks to the United Nations Security Council, United Nations (2/5/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "I hope that you will understand, as we believe we understand, that this is a danger, a danger to the world, for this kind of regime and this kind of man, Saddam Hussein, to continue to develop weapons of mass destruction--chemical weapons, biological weapons, nuclear weapons." Source: Interview by RAI Television of Italy, RAI (1/29/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "You have a country that is out in the world buying things that are necessary for the development and progress in their . . . nuclear programs." Source: Donald Rumsfeld and Richard Myers Hold Regular Defense Department Briefing, Defense Department (1/29/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "And we will also put forward additional information that will substantiate the claim that they do have programs to develop chemical and biological weapons, as well as nuclear weapons." Source: Interview by RAI Television of Italy, RAI (1/29/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "His regime has the design for a nuclear weapon, was working on several different methods of enriching uranium, and recently was discovered seeking significant quantities of uranium from Africa." Source: Donald Rumsfeld and Richard Myers Hold Regular Defense Department Briefing, Defense Department (1/29/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it asserted that Iraq sought uranium from Africa despite the fact that the CIA had expressed doubts about the credibility of this claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet also had warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice’s deputy. In addition, the statement failed to mention that State Department intelligence officials had concluded that this claim was "highly dubious."

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "His regime has the design for a nuclear weapon, was working on several different methods of enriching uranium . . . ." Source: Donald Rumsfeld and Richard Myers Hold Regular Defense Department Briefing, Defense Department (1/29/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production." Source: President Delivers "State of the Union", White House (1/28/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa." Source: President Delivers "State of the Union", White House (1/28/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought uranium from Africa despite the fact that the CIA expressed doubts about the credibility of this claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. CIA Director George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy. In addition, the statement fails to mention that State Department intelligence officials also concluded that this claim was "highly dubious."

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "Why is Iraq still trying to procure uranium and the special equipment needed to transform it into material for nuclear weapons?" Source: Remarks at the World Economic Forum, State Dept (1/26/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought to acquire uranium despite the fact that the CIA expressed doubts about the credibility of this claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. CIA Director George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy. In addition, the statement fails to mention that State Department intelligence officials also concluded that this claim was "highly dubious."

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "For example, the declaration fails to account for or explain Iraq’s efforts to get uranium from abroad . . ." Source: Why We Know Iraq Is Lying, NYT (1/23/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought to acquire uranium despite the fact that the CIA expressed doubts about the credibility of this claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. CIA Director George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy. In addition, the statement fails to mention that State Department intelligence officials also concluded that this claim was "highly dubious."

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "And he has an active program to acquire and develop nuclear weapons." Source: Donald Rumsfeld Addresses the Conference of Army Reserve Operators, Defense Department (1/20/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "The [Iraqi] report also failed to deal with issues which have arisen since 1998, including: . . . attempts to acquire uranium and the means to enrich it." Source: Letter to Cheney/Senate, White House (1/20/2003). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought to acquire uranium despite the fact that the CIA expressed doubts about the credibility of this claim in two memos to the White House, including one addressed to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. CIA Director George Tenet also warned against using the claim in a telephone call to Ms. Rice's deputy. In addition, the statement fails to mention that State Department intelligence officials also concluded that this claim was "highly dubious."

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "We also know that Iraq has tried to obtain high-strength aluminum tubes which can be used to enrich uranium in centrifuges for a nuclear weapons program." Source: Press Conference on Iraq Declaration, State Dept (12/19/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, the United States has categorically said that Iraq has an active . . . nuclear weapons program. SECRETARY RUMSFELD: Because they do." Source: DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Myers, Defense Department (12/3/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "And we know that he has an active program for the development of nuclear weapons." Source: Secretary Rumsfeld Live Interview with Infinity CBS Radio, Infinity-CBS Radio (11/14/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "During the four years since inspectors have been barred from Iraq, Hussein has done everything he can to acquire and develop more weapons of mass destruction -- whether biological, chemical or nuclear. He has no scruples about using the weapons that he possesses or about providing them to terrorists should that suit his interests." Source: Baghdad's Moment of Truth, Washington Post (11/10/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "[T]hey're trying to acquire nuclear weapons." Source: Interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC (10/22/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "The Iraqi regime . . . is seeking nuclear weapons." Source: President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat; Remarks by the President on Iraq, White House (10/7/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "Iraq has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes and other equipment needed for gas centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons." Source: President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat; Remarks by the President on Iraq, White House (10/7/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "Saddam Hussein . . . is moving ever closer to developing a nuclear weapon." Source: President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat; Remarks by the President on Iraq, White House (10/7/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "If the Iraq regime is able to produce, buy, or steal an amount of highly enriched uranium a little larger than a single softball, it could have a nuclear weapon in less than one year." Source: President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat; Remarks by the President on Iraq, White House (10/7/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to provide the context that the U.S. intelligence community believed that Iraq probably would not be able to make a nuclear weapon until near the end of the decade.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "Knowing these realities, America must not ignore the threat gathering against us. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof - the smoking gun - that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud." Source: President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat; Remarks by the President on Iraq, White House (10/7/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it starkly evoked a threat of Iraq detonating a nuclear bomb when there was deep division in the intelligence community on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "The regime has the scientists and facilities to build nuclear weapons, and is seeking the materials needed to do so." Source: President, House Leadership Agree on Iraq Resolution, White House (10/2/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "Second, they question . . . what is the proof that Iraq has nuclear weapons? Where's the smoking gun? . . . But if you think about it, the last thing we should want is a smoking gun. A gun doesn't smoke until it has been fired and the goal has to be to stop such an attack before it starts. As the President told the United Nations, 'The first time we may be completely certain that a terrorist has nuclear weapons is when, God forbid,' he said, 'they use one.'"" Source: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Defense Department (9/27/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it starkly evoked a threat of Iraq detonating a nuclear bomb when the intelligence community was deeply divided regarding whether Saddam Hussein was divided on whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear weapons program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "His regime has an active program to acquire and develop nuclear weapons." Source: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Defense Department (9/27/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "The regime is seeking a nuclear bomb, and with fissile material, could build one within a year." Source: President Bush Discusses Iraq with Congressional Leaders, White House (9/26/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to provide the context that the U.S. intelligence community believed that Iraq probably would not be able to make a nuclear weapon until near the end of the decade.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "He . . . is aggressively pursuing nuclear weapons." Source: Testimony of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Senate Armed Services Committee (9/19/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "We do know that the Iraqi regime . . . they're pursuing nuclear weapons." Source: Testimony of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Senate Armed Services Committee (9/19/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "His regime has an active program to aquire nuclear weapons." Source: Testimony of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, Senate Armed Services Committee (9/19/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "And he is agressively pursuing nuclear weapons. The region knows that." Source: Testimony of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld before the House Armed Services Committee, House Armed Services Committee (9/18/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "[W]e do know they're currently pursuing nuclear weapons, that they have a proven willingness to use those weapons at their disposal." Source: Testimony of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld before the House Armed Services Committee, House Armed Services Committee (9/18/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "His regime has an active program to acquire and develop nuclear weapons." Source: Testimony of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld before the House Armed Services Committee, House Armed Services Committee (9/18/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "Should Iraq acquire fissile material, it would be able to build a nuclear weapon within a year." Source: Address to the United Nations General Assembly, White House (9/12/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to provide the context that the U.S. intelligence community believed that Iraq probably would not be able to make a nuclear weapon until near the end of the decade.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "The first time we may be completely certain he has a --nuclear weapon is when, God forbids, he uses one." Source: Address to the United Nations General Assembly, White House (9/12/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it starkly evoked a threat of Iraq detonating a nuclear bomb when the intelligence community was deeply divided on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of President George W. Bush: "Iraq has made several attempts to buy high-strength aluminum tubes used to enrich uranium for a nuclear weapon." Source: Address to the United Nations General Assembly, White House (9/12/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "The problem with that is the way one gains absolutely certainty as to whether a dicatator like Saddam Hussein has nuclear weapons is if he uses it, and that's a little late." Source: Secretary Rumsfeld's Interview on Face the Nation, CBS (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it starkly evoked a threat of Iraq detonating a nuclear bomb when the intelligence community was deeply divided regarding whether Saddam Hussein was divided on whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear weapons program.

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "With respect to nuclear weapons, we are quite confident that he continues to try to pursue the technology that would allow him to develop a nuclear weapon." Source: Interview by Tony Snow and Brit Hume on Fox News Sunday, Fox News (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "Now, the more recent developments have to do with our now being able to conclude, based on intelligence that's becoming available . . . that he has reconstituted his nuclear program to develop a nuclear weapon, that there are efforts under way inside Iraq to significantly expand his capability." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY: And what we've seen recently that has raised our level of concern to the current state of unrest, if you will, if I can put it in those terms, is that he now is trying, through his illicit procurement network, to acquire the equipment he needs to be able to enrich uranium to make the bombs. QUESTION: Aluminum tubes. VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY: Specifically aluminum tubes." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "QUESTION: So Saddam's more dangerous than North Korea or Iran? VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY: I think so because of his past practice and because we believe that he is a danger, a fundamental danger, not only for the region but potentially the United States, as well. And I say, a lot of that is based on the evidence that's now available, that he is working actively to improve his . . . nuclear weapons program." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "The problem here is that there will always be some uncertainty about how quickly he can acquire nuclear weapons. But we don’t want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud." Source: Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, CNN (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it starkly evoked a threat of Iraq detonating a nuclear bomb when the intelligence community was deeply divided regarding whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear weapons program.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "We do know that there have been shipments going . . . into Iraq . . . of aluminum tubes that really are only suited to -- high-quality aluminum tools [sic] that are only really suited for nuclear weapons programs, centrifuge programs." Source: Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, CNN (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was false. The government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose, and intelligence officials at the State Department concurred in this view.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "We do know that he is actively pursuing a nuclear weapon." Source: Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, CNN (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: "We know that he has the infrastructure, nuclear scientists to make a nuclear weapon." Source: Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, CNN (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "I don't want to talk about, obviously, specific intelligence sources, but it's now public that, in fact, he has been seeking to acquire, and we have been able to intercept and prevent him from acquiring through this particular channel, the kinds of tubes that are necessary to build a centrifuge. And the centrifuge is required to take low-grade uranium and enhance it into highly enriched uranium, which is what you have to have in order to build a bomb." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it suggested that Iraq sought aluminum tubes for use in its nuclear weapons program, failing to mention that the government’s most experienced technical experts at the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that the tubes were "poorly suited" for this purpose.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "[H]e is, in fact, actively and aggressively seeking to acquire nuclear weapons." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "But we do know, with absolute certainty, that he is using his procurement system to acquire the equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (9/8/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "[T]hey continue to pursue an aggressive nuclear weapons program." Source: Vice President Honors Veterans of Korean War, White House (8/29/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "On the nuclear question, many of us are convinced that Saddam will acquire such weapons fairly soon." Source: Vice President Honors Veterans of Korean War, White House (8/29/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "But we now know that Saddam has resumed his efforts to acquire nuclear weapons." Source: Vice President Speaks at VFW 103rd National Convention, White House (8/26/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "What we know now, from various sources, is that he has continued to improve the, if you can put it in those terms, the capabilities of his nuclear . . . and he continues to pursue a nuclear weapon." Source: VP Speaks to Commonwealth Club of California, White House (8/7/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "We have already found confirmation that the al-Qaeda terrorists are seriously interested in nuclear and radiological weapons, and in biological and chemical agents. At the same time, there is a danger of terror groups joining together with regimes that have or are seeking to build weapons of mass destruction. In the case of Saddam Hussein, we have a dictator who is clearly pursuing these capabilities -- and has used them, both in his war against Iran and against his own people." Source: Vice President makes remarks at an event for Representative Saxby Chambliss, White House (7/19/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "People should be nervous about the fact that there is a country such as Iraq with all that wealth available to it through oil, that is using that wealth to develop chemical, biological and even nuclear weapons, if they could get their hands on them, in order to threaten innocent people throughout the Persian Gulf region, and in due course perhaps even threaten us here, this far away." Source: CTV News Interview, CTV (6/13/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "In Afghanistan we found confirmation that bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network were seriously interested in nuclear and radiological weapons, and in biological and chemical agents. We are especially concerned about any possible linkup between terrorists and regimes that have or seek weapons of mass destruction. In the case of Saddam Hussein, we have a dictator who is clearly pursuing these deadly capabilities." Source: Vice President Delivers Remarks to the National Academy of Home Builders, White House (6/6/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld: "[M]ost of them or some of them have very aggressive programs to develop nuclear weapons; certainly Iran does, certainly Iraq does, and there are others including North Korea." Source: News Hour, PBS (5/22/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "[W]e know he's working on nuclear." Source: Meet the Press, NBC (5/19/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Secretary of State Colin Powell: "What we have said to our Arab friends is you may not see Saddam Hussein the same way we do, but you ought to, because those weapons of mass destruction that he is developing -- chemical, biological, nuclear -- they're more likely than not directed at one of you than us." Source: Interview by Scott Pelley on CBS's 60 Minutes II (as aired), CBS (4/3/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program. In addition, it failed to acknowledge the Defense Intelligence Agency position that: "There is no reliable information on whether Iraq is producing and stockpiling chemical weapons or where Iraq has -- or will -- establish its chemical warfare agent production facilities."

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "The issue is that he's pursuing nuclear weapons." Source: Late Edition (CNN), CNN (3/24/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "This is a man of great evil, as the President said. And he is actively pursuing nuclear weapons at this time." Source: Late Edition (CNN), CNN (3/24/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "And [Arab nations] are as concerned as we are when they see . . . his pursuit of nuclear weapons." Source: Remarks by President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney at a Photo Opportunity following their breakfast meeting., White House (3/21/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

Public Statement of Vice President Richard Cheney: "[W]e know they are pursuing nuclear weapons." Source: The Vice President Participates in a Media Availability with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, White House (3/19/2002). Why This Statement is Misleading: This statement was misleading because it failed to acknowledge the intelligence community's deep division on the issue of whether Iraq was actively pursuing its nuclear program.

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