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Democrat call for probe on Iraq weapons intelligence resisted
Washington, June 11: Senate Republicans are resisting Democrats` calls for a full-blown investigation of whether intelligence on Iraq`s weapons programmes was inaccurate or manipulated to make the case for war.
Washington, June 11: Senate Republicans are resisting Democrats' calls for a full-blown investigation of whether intelligence on Iraq's weapons programmes was inaccurate or manipulated to make the case for war.
Leading Republicans say there is no evidence of wrongdoing and no need yet for an inquiry that goes much beyond routine oversight. Democrats want a more thorough investigation in light of doubts raised about some of the intelligence and the failure so far to find weapons of mass destruction.
Both sides say they lack political motives, but the stakes could be high ahead of next year's election if President George W Bush's primary reason for going to war continues to be called into question.
Intelligence committee chairman, Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican, and the panel's top Democrat, Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, said yesterday they hope to work out an agreement. Roberts planned to announce his oversight plans today without Rockefeller.
Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, said he favoured an investigation with public hearings, even though he is confident that the weapons will eventually be found.
"The American people have the right to know," McCain said.
Roberts has said an investigation would be premature. He said committee staff should first review thousands of pages of documents the CIA is submitting to Congress detailing intelligence on Iraq's weapons programmes.
Bureau Report
Both sides say they lack political motives, but the stakes could be high ahead of next year's election if President George W Bush's primary reason for going to war continues to be called into question.
Intelligence committee chairman, Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican, and the panel's top Democrat, Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, said yesterday they hope to work out an agreement. Roberts planned to announce his oversight plans today without Rockefeller.
Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, said he favoured an investigation with public hearings, even though he is confident that the weapons will eventually be found.
"The American people have the right to know," McCain said.
Roberts has said an investigation would be premature. He said committee staff should first review thousands of pages of documents the CIA is submitting to Congress detailing intelligence on Iraq's weapons programmes.
Bureau Report