Try These on Your CIA Briefer, Mr. President-Elect

The next two questions are for you, Mike:

(1) Tenet told his British counterpart, Sir Richard Dearlove, on July 20, 2002 at CIA Headquarters that the intelligence on Iraq was being "fixed around the policy" of regime change." (I refer, of course, to the so-called "Downing Street Minutes" recording Dearlove’s briefing of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and others at 10 Downing Street on July 23, 2002. I’m told that Blair himself has acknowledged that the minutes are authentic.) Did you know, Mike, that the intelligence was being "fixed?"

(2) Tenet also says in his memoir that you "coordinated the CIA review" of Colin Powell’s speech at the U.N. on Feb. 5, 2003. Your comment?

Do not take this personally, Mike. But with all due respect, you will be able to understand why I would like to start with a fresh slate. Please inform your management that I would prefer an intelligence briefer untainted by the debacle on Iraq. Add that I am offended that they would send me someone so closely associated with George Tenet, the consummate "fixer," representing the antithesis of the kind of honest intelligence analysis I shall require.

Do not forget to pass along to your successor the requests I have made. Admittedly, some of the tasks carry tight deadlines, but surely your analysts are already at work on these front-burner issues.

Thank you. And best of luck if we do not meet again.

The original of this article appeared on Consortiumnews.com.

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