It was widely reported that Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf had concerns about a possible war in Iraq:
“The thought of Saddam Hussein with a sophisticated nuclear capability is a frightening thought, OK?” he said. “Now, having said that, I don’t know what intelligence the U.S. government has. And before I can just stand up and say, ‘Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we need to invade Iraq,’ I guess I would like to have better information.”
And so – in sharp contrast to the Bush administration – he supports letting the UN weapons inspectors drive the timetable: “I think it is very important for us to wait and see what the inspectors come up with, and hopefully they come up with something conclusive.”
This morning, on Today, Schwarzkopf seemed to say that he was now convinced that war was a necessary option:
But on Wednesday, Gen.Schwarzkopf told NBC’s Today show he thought President Bush’s State of the Union speech was “very compelling,” and he said he looks forward to hearing the declassified information that Secretary of State Colin Powell will share with the world next week.
“Saddam’s got to go,” Schwarzkopf said Wednesday morning. “He’s a monster in every single way you can think of and with the linkage to the terrorists, it’s scary what in fact could be done.”
Schwarzkopf said he expects key facts to emerge after Powell briefs the U.N. Security Council next Wednesday. “I think that the intelligence people obviously have information about activities, and I think you’re going to see proof of those activities that show that in fact Saddam Hussein still has nuclear weapons or chemical weapons or biological weapons in his possession and has in fact hidden them someplace…I think that there’s going to be conclusive evidence to show that he has not destroyed all the weapons that they say he’s destroyed.”
I am not sure why he changed his mind, particularly since the President presented no new evidence (the evidence he stated has been on record- people have just conveniently ignored it).
My question- Is there a possibility that this was staged, that Schwarzkopf had always been in favor of an invasion, and the thought was that if he changed his mind publicly, it would help to sway public opinion? This sounds paranoid, but I am cynical enough to think this might have been the case. Another possibility is that he simply does not like Rumsfelfd…
Jennie Taliaferro
J.C., it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if somebody used Schwartzkopf as a tool–“See, the very guy who wanted to take Baghdad’s changed his mind!”
My memory was that Norman was very angry and bitter when he was told that NO, he couldn’t march into town and take it.
Maybe he hates Powell.
Or maybe they were both ill used by Bush 41 or his pathetic advisers like Brent Scowcroft.
I wish to God that we had let Norman do it in ’91 as was proper for a military victor–think of the money, time, and lives we could have saved!
But we must live in the now and it’s heartening to see that Norman came to his senses for the American public, but we need to make more noise about his “change of mind.”
Becca
What??? Have you even read Schwarzkop’s book?
Why would he let himself be used when he obviously has fought hard to do what he think is right. He has many opportunities to be “used” by the government, or to be put in various positions to gain status, but on numerous occassions, he backed out. He’s a man of honor. Stop making assumptions and dragging a good name through the mud.
Tarrant
Seriously. He is a man of honor and does what he thinks is right. Anyone who’s read his book would know that he’s a man of great principle and an American hero.
photos of women in bondage
Omnes una manet nox – The same night awaits us all. (Horace)