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CIA did not share doubt on Iraq data with Bush
Washington, June 12: The US probe agency Central Intelligence Agency did not share with the White House a report saying that allegations about Iraq trying to obtain uranium from Niger in Africa were false, a report said today.
Washington, June 12: The US probe agency Central Intelligence Agency did not share with the White House a report saying that allegations about Iraq trying to obtain uranium from Niger in Africa were false, a report said today.
The reports about an active nuclear weapons programme, linked to an alleged attempt to buy uranium in Niger, was disputed by a CIA-directed mission to that African nation in early 2002, the 'Washington Post' said in a report.
However, the CIA did not pass on the detailed results of the investigation to the White House or other government agencies, according to a senior administration officials and a former government official.
The CIA's failure was described by a senior intelligence official was the result of "extremely sloppy" handling of a central piece of evidence in the administration's case against Hussein.
A senior CIA analyst said the case "is indicative of larger problems" involving the handling of intelligence about Iraq's alleged chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programmes and links to al Qaeda which the administration cited as justification for war.
"Information not consistent with the administration's agenda, was discarded and information that was consistent was not seriously questioned," the analyst said.
The story involving the CIA's uranium purchase probe, the 'Post' said, suggests the agency also was shaping intelligence on Iraq to meet the administration's policy needs.
Unaware of the CIA's report, US President George W Bush, in an address in January mentioned Iraq's attempts at purchasing uranium in Niger, to support his contention that Hussein was pursuing a secret nuke programme.
Bureau Report
However, the CIA did not pass on the detailed results of the investigation to the White House or other government agencies, according to a senior administration officials and a former government official.
The CIA's failure was described by a senior intelligence official was the result of "extremely sloppy" handling of a central piece of evidence in the administration's case against Hussein.
A senior CIA analyst said the case "is indicative of larger problems" involving the handling of intelligence about Iraq's alleged chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programmes and links to al Qaeda which the administration cited as justification for war.
"Information not consistent with the administration's agenda, was discarded and information that was consistent was not seriously questioned," the analyst said.
The story involving the CIA's uranium purchase probe, the 'Post' said, suggests the agency also was shaping intelligence on Iraq to meet the administration's policy needs.
Unaware of the CIA's report, US President George W Bush, in an address in January mentioned Iraq's attempts at purchasing uranium in Niger, to support his contention that Hussein was pursuing a secret nuke programme.
Bureau Report