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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

And right on cue.....

The day after the NIE is released challenging the administration's presentation of Al Qaeda and its relationship in Iraq,
The U.S. command said Wednesday the highest-ranking Iraqi in the leadership of al-Qaida in Iraq has been arrested, adding that information from him indicates the group's foreign-based leadership wields considerable influence over the Iraqi chapter.

Khaled Abdul-Fattah Dawoud Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, also known as Abu Shahid, was captured in Mosul on July 4, said Brig. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a military spokesman.....

"In his words, the Islamic State of Iraq is a front organization that masks the foreign influence and leadership within al-Qaida in Iraq in an attempt to put an Iraqi face on the leadership of al-Qaida in Iraq," Bergner said.


So, suddenly we have military spokesman Brig. Gen. Bergner telling us that Al Qaeda in Iraq is controlled entirely by Al Qaeda main despite the fact that this is contradicted by almost all other intelligence.

(Bergner does have a bit of a "neocon" problem, often saying things that are quite inflammatory, but not precisely true. Let's remember that prior to this current posting as military spokesman, he was "with the National Security Council staff as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iraq."

Does that seem a normal career progression to you? Working at the NSC, then becoming the Baghdad spokesman?)

2 Comments:

  • I made the same connection, minus the general's background. It's far too convenient.

    By Blogger Nonplussed2, at 3:26 PM  

  • But what does it say that the topline media now recognizes this skepticism in their reporting.

    In the NYTimes and on CNN and MSNBC today, I have seen this skepticism voiced.

    It's mainstream belief that this administration will lie about something this significant.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 6:31 PM  

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