If we don't have accurate information, if we are not able to tell difficult truth one to another, we will never be able to effectively design a policy for Iraq.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Things are difficult enough about Iraq without the Federal Government suppressing the truth about Iraq.
If Bush, as I believe, has reliable information on the fact that Saddam Hussein is making weapons of mass destruction, I cannot not support the policies of his government.
If we want to build the Iraqis' confidence about our intentions in their country, if we want to stop adding fuel to the fire of insurgency and terrorism, we must clarify our intent.
It would be ideal if we could have an uncontrolled flow of information. But we realized you can't do that.
We know that there are unaccounted-for Scud and other ballistic missiles in Iraq. And part of the problem is that, since 1998, there has been no way to even get minimal information about those programs except through intelligence means.
Clearly, a stable, unified and democratic Iraq cannot be achieved militarily by the U.S.
Mistakes, after all, are endemic to foreign and military policy given the unpredictability of events and the difficulty of securing reliable information in a place like Iraq.
Unless we get serious about addressing Iran's regional ambitions in places like Syria, then our allies are never going to be confident that we have a strategy for the region.
We are not going to abandon Iraq.
You want to keep intelligence separate from policy.
No opposing quotes found.