The information that was being put out about the danger that Saddam Hussein posed to the United States or United States’ interests was being grossly exaggerated. Sanctions had weakened Saddam Hussein ... The political perspective that Saddam Hussein must go was not based on intelligence. It was formulated and developed and articulated very publicly during the Clinton administration years. Lt Col Karen Kwiatkowski, Pentagon Office of Special Planning
Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defense Secretary, and one of the most ardent critics of Saddam Hussein, met the Iraqi President in 1983 to ease the way for US companies to sell biological and chemical weapons, including Anthrax and Bubonic Plague cultures, according to newly classified US documents. News report
Freedom’s untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things. Stuff happens. Donald Rumsfeld, re Iraqi looting post-US invasion
Go massive. Sweep it up. Things related and not. Donald Rumsfeld, notes on Invasion of Iraq
We know they have weapons of mass destruction. We know they have active programs. There isn’t any debate about it. Donald Rumsfeld
There’s another way to phrase that and that is that the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. It is basically saying the same thing in a different way. Simply because you do not have evidence that something does exist does not mean that you have evidence that it doesn’t exist. Donald Rumsfeld, re weapons of mass destruction
It is unknowable how long that conflict [the war in Iraq] will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months. Donald Rumsfeld, February 2003
Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin’s still learning. Donald Rumsfeld
There is bullet-proof evidence of links between Al Qaeda and the government of Saddam Hussein. Donald Rumsfeld, Atlanta 27th September 2002
We know where they are. They’re in the area round Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat. Donald Rumsfeld, ABC’s This Week 30th March 2003
The United States knows that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. Any country on the face of the Earth with an active intelligence program knows Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. Donald Rumsfeld
cf.
I don’t know anybody that I can think of who has contended that the Iraqis had nuclear weapons. Donald Rumsfeld
I did not. I said I knew where suspect sites were. Donald Rumsfeld
I don’t think we’ll discover anything myself. Donald Rumsfeld
I probably should have said we know where they were instead of we know where they are. Donald Rumsfeld
So the money’s going to come from Iraqi oil revenue as everyone has said. They think it’s going to be something like two billion dollars this year, they think it’ll be something like fifteen? ... twelve? ... next year. Donald Rumsfeld
Critics are the only people left I’ve heard use the phrase He’s a threat. I didn’t. The President didn’t. Donald Rumsfeld
And we believe he has in fact reconstituted nuclear weapons. Dick Cheney
But he did go to Prague and meet with a senior official of the Iraqi intelligence service. Dick Cheney, Meet the News NBC 9th December 2001
I have not suggested there is a connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda. Dick Cheney, news interview
We will in fact be greeted as liberators. Dick Cheney, news interview
After liberation, the streets in Basra and Baghdad are assured to erupt in joy. Dick Cheney
There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. Dick Cheney
Had the decision belonged to Senator Kerry, Saddam Hussein would still be in power today in Iraq. In fact, Saddam Hussein would almost certainly still be in control of Kuwait. Dick Cheney
He [Saddam Hussein] has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbours. Colin Powell, February 2001
cf.
Everybody knows that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Colin Powell
Leaving Saddam Hussein in possession of weapons of mass destruction for a few more months or years is not an option. Not in a post-September 11th world. Colin Powell, address to United Nations
Saddam Hussein already possesses two out of the three components needed to build a nuclear bomb. ibid.
Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons. ibid.
Iraqis continue to visit bin Laden in his new home in Afghanistan. ibid.
My colleagues, every statement I make today is backed up by sources. Solid sources. These are not assertions. ibid.
People will find that we presented a solid case, a case that is there, and was there and will remain there. Colin Powell
Will we go to war over suspicions? Le Monde, re Colin Powell’s address to United Nations
America and Britain ... must not jump the gun. The Guardian, re Colin Powell’s address to United Nations
A confidential draft agreement covering the future of US forces in Iraq, passed to the Guardian, shows that provision is being made for an open-ended military presence in the country.
The draft strategic framework agreement between the US and Iraqi governments, dated March 7 and marked ‘secret’ and ‘sensitive’, is intended to replace the existing UN mandate and authorises the US to ‘conduct military operations in Iraq and to detain individuals when necessary for imperative reasons of security’ without time limit. The Guardian, article Seumas Milne 8th April 2008, ‘Secret US Plan for Military Future in Iraq’
Failed to make the case for war. The Independent, re Colin Powell’s address to United Nations
Less than convincing. Financial Times, re Colin Powell’s address to United Nations
Where’s the proof, Colin? Daily Mirror, re Colin Powell’s address to United Nations
The Prime Minister is set to use the ‘dossier of death’ to convince Britain to join the US in attacking Iraq. Daily Mirror 12 March 2003
The Sun Says: Worm squirm: The hypocrisy of France is clear for all to see as Le Worm begins to squirm. The Sun editorial 6th March 2003
Irrefutable and undeniable. The New York Times
cf.
There is no evidence that Mr Hussein tried to buy uranium in Africa. The New York Times article Joseph Wilson, ‘What I Didn’t Find in Africa’
A clear threat to the United States. Condoleezza Rice
Saddam Hussein cavorts with terrorists. Condoleezza Rice
cf.
We are able to keep arms from him. His military forces have not been re-built. Condoleezza Rice, July 2001
We don’t want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud. Condoleezza Rice, 8th September 2002