British Report: We Stand By Niger Uranium Intelligence

"From our examination of the intelligence and other material on Iraqi attempts to buy uranium from Africa, we have concluded that:

"a. It is accepted by all parties that Iraqi officials visited Niger in 1999.

"b. The British Government had intelligence from several different sources indicating that this visit was for the purpose of acquiring uranium. Since uranium constitutes almost three-quarters of Niger's exports, the intelligence was credible.

"c. The evidence was not conclusive that Iraq actually purchased, as opposed to having sought, uranium and the British Government did not claim this.

"d. The forged documents were not available to the British Government at the time its assessment was made, and so the fact of the forgery does not undermine it."

And yet they continue deliberately conflating the two, don't they?

Further excerpts here.

Awesome Update! Check out Jonah Goldberg's catch of conclusion particularly damning to Joe "Sweet Mint Tea" Wilson.

Joshua Micah Hoonvroder Esteves Beebelbrox Marshall Update: Several days ago, Marshall claimed that the intelligence from the French stating that Iraq tried to buy uranium was based on the discredited Italian Forgeries, and thus shouldn't be taken as evidence for the attempted purchase.

He then allowed that the British intelligence was, however, "more complicated." He promised a post explaining this "more complicated" situation -- as always, he promised it "later" -- with the clear implication being that he would discredit that intelligence as well.

Later, you understand.

You will not be surprised that we're all still waiting on yet another bit of Josh Marshall vapornews.

posted by Ace at 02:28 PM

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