WP: Negroponte Orders an Update On Terrorism's Influence in Iraq

[deminks]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/04/AR2006080401700.html?nav=rss_politics

By Walter Pincus
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 5, 2006; Page A07

The office of Director of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte announced yesterday that it will soon begin drafting an updated National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, a declaration that came amid indications this week that the threat to that country from foreign terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda is receding.

Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of the U.S. Central Command, said Thursday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Iraq that al-Qaeda in Iraq's ranks had been "significantly depleted" since the June 7 death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Its members, he said, now total "less than 1,000."

That is far below earlier estimates, though several officials said yesterday that not all within the intelligence community agree with Abizaid's number. Over the past year, intelligence and military officials have said foreign fighters made up less than 10 percent of the roughly 20,000 insurgents in Iraq.

And nearly three years after President Bush said in a speech that "Iraq is now the central front" in a global battle against terrorism, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld testified Wednesday before the same committee that it is the "enemy" that "has called Iraq the central front on the war on terrorism, while some on our side seem to argue that the outcome in Iraq is not part of that global war on terror."

[Oversea Visitor]

1. Woah woah woah

These guy all making much sense as my turd spinning like top

[Erika]

2. Yeah, they know it's spinning the wrong way

They just don't know the right way.

[Oversea Visitor]

3. Wah me not surprise

When chimp look for oil he goes bankrupt

So now he President
And he go look for WAR
Gee he good dig big pit
But he dumb forget to have ladder around just say
Look we digging pit we just need stay the course
OK all start digging.
How deep needer DONT KNOW
When to stop DONT KNOW
HOW to get out DONT KNOW also :rofl:

Aaah who down in pit with him :rofl:
Woah how one manage to fit the whole of US in pit with him.
Damn he good.
Like how put elephant in fridge
So simple open door take elephant put in close door.
Stupid elephant so nice do not even struggle
Donkey looking on mouth open wide
Stare dumbfounded in shock.
Hmmm maybe shock and awe feeling over
Whee sure one hell longtime to be shock and awae :rofl:

[rodeodance]

9. If ist is indeed sectarian --then it IS a civil war--and less alquida??

Just a thought.



......Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of the U.S. Central Command, said Thursday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Iraq that al-Qaeda in Iraq's ranks had been "significantly depleted" since the June 7 death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Its members, he said, now total "less than 1,000."

[jimshoes]

4. Could he be getting

ready to declare mission accomplished (for real this time, no kidding) and getting the hell out?

[radfringe]

5. 2 thoughts

1. by "reassessing" the threats the repubs/bushies can either declare "mission accomplished" or cite "progress" - and info ahead of the official release of the report will be leaked to repubs running for re-selection and will be used in their stump speeches

2. why bother "reassessing" anything - the bushies will cheery-pick their way through it and use what they find useful to further their conclusions...

[Minstrel Boy]

6. "Mission accomplished, Mr Death Squad, sir." n/t

[0007]

11. The Death Squad Master speakth



My boys John Negroponte and Bernard Kerik take care of business.

[rodeodance]

7. Recall that Dems sent him a letter demanding a new Estimate report.

[rodeodance]

8. says this announce makes no mention of CAVING to DEMS:

The announcement from Negroponte's office came in a statement released yesterday afternoon. No date beyond "shortly" was offered for the expected completion of the intelligence estimate, the first by U.S. intelligence agencies since mid-2004.

The action follows Thursday's vote by the Senate intelligence committee for such a document. The statement by Judith A. Emmel, a spokeswoman in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, made no mention of the Senate amendment nor of a letter from four Democratic senators to Negroponte dated July 26, which first called for the updated intelligence estimate.

The amendment was introduced Wednesday by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), who called on Negroponte's office to address in the intelligence estimate the role of terrorism in Iraq.

"We need an assessment from the intelligence community about the extent of the threat from violent, extremist-related terrorism, including al-Qaeda, in and from Iraq," Kennedy said in introducing his amendment.

Also signing the letter to Negroponte were Sens. Harry M. Reid (Nev.), Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) and Jack Reed (R.I.).

[Kagemusha]

10. Caving? HA!!

The Dems asked for an assessment on Iraq/ the Iraqi insurgency, not the progress made in combatting Al Qaeda!!

This is a big fat nothing.