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US to release leaked Iraq report Iraq war fuels terror - US report
(about 3 hours later)
US President George W Bush has said he will declassify parts of a leaked report that apparently concludes that the Iraq war has fuelled terrorism. The Iraq conflict has become a "cause celebre" for Islamic militants, declassified parts of a US intelligence report say.
"Some people have guessed what's in the report and concluded that going in to Iraq was a mistake. I strongly disagree," Mr Bush said. "Perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere," it said.
He said the key judgements of the National Intelligence Estimate would be made public as soon as possible. President George W Bush promised to release parts of the report following earlier leaks to the US media.
Key members of the Senate Intelligence Committee have urged declassification. Mr Bush said he strongly disagreed with his opponents who thought "going into Iraq was a mistake".
But a subsequent bid by the opposition Democrats to hold a closed session in the House of Representatives to discuss the report was rejected. Key judgements of the National Intelligence Estimate, however, have confirmed the media leaks.
"The Iraq conflict has become the 'cause celebre' for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement," the report said.
"Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight."
The conclusions will be uncomfortable reading for the Bush administration, says the BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington.
Opposition Democrats tried unsuccessfully to hold a closed session in the House of Representatives to discuss the report earlier, but were voted down.
One the ground in Iraq:One the ground in Iraq:
  • At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in a series of blasts in and around Baghdad
  • At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in a series of blasts in and around Baghdad
  • There were angry scenes in parliament as it began discussing a draft law on federalism
  • There were angry scenes in parliament as it began discussing a draft law on federalism
    • 'Mistake''Mistake'
    The leaked excerpts from the report were published by the New York Times on Sunday. The leaked excerpts from the report were first published by the New York Times on Sunday.
    The paper quoted the report as saying the invasion and occupation of Iraq has spawned a new generation of Islamic radicalism that has spread across the globe.
    HAVE YOUR SAY The invasion has given a huge impetus to a global jihad Harun Ali, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The invasion has given a huge impetus to a global jihad Harun Ali, London Send us your comments
    Mr Bush criticised the leak of the report, which he said was intended to influence Congressional elections due in November. Mr Bush criticised the leak, which he said was intended to influence Congressional elections due in November.
    He also called his critics "naive".He also called his critics "naive".
    "I think it's a mistake for people to believe that going on the offence against people that want to do harm to the American people makes us less safe," he said."I think it's a mistake for people to believe that going on the offence against people that want to do harm to the American people makes us less safe," he said.
    Mr Bush has consistently dismissed such reasoning in the past, arguing that Islamic militants had hated the US long before it invaded Iraq or Afghanistan.Mr Bush has consistently dismissed such reasoning in the past, arguing that Islamic militants had hated the US long before it invaded Iraq or Afghanistan.
    After Mr Bush spoke, a Democrat proposal for a secret session of the House of Representatives to give lawmakers the chance to discuss the report was voted down.After Mr Bush spoke, a Democrat proposal for a secret session of the House of Representatives to give lawmakers the chance to discuss the report was voted down.
    House Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi proposed the special session, which would have been the first such meeting since 1983. She said that the entire report should be declassified.House Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi proposed the special session, which would have been the first such meeting since 1983. She said that the entire report should be declassified.
    "Quite frankly, my view is that any responsible declassification will change the course of this debate on Iraq," she told the Associated Press news agency."Quite frankly, my view is that any responsible declassification will change the course of this debate on Iraq," she told the Associated Press news agency.
    'Army dispute''Army dispute'
    The intelligence leak was followed by reports suggesting that the head of the US Army, Gen Peter Schoomaker, had refused to submit his annual budget to Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in protest at a lack of funds for essential supplies and weapons.The intelligence leak was followed by reports suggesting that the head of the US Army, Gen Peter Schoomaker, had refused to submit his annual budget to Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in protest at a lack of funds for essential supplies and weapons.
    Gen Schoomaker, who recently told Congress that he needed more funding, missed an August deadline for the budget, the Los Angeles Times reported.Gen Schoomaker, who recently told Congress that he needed more funding, missed an August deadline for the budget, the Los Angeles Times reported.
    He was seeking $138.8bn (£73bn) for 2008, the newspaper said, some $25bn (£13bn) more than the maximum budget allocation.He was seeking $138.8bn (£73bn) for 2008, the newspaper said, some $25bn (£13bn) more than the maximum budget allocation.
    Most of the money required for US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has come from special requests authorised by Congress.Most of the money required for US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has come from special requests authorised by Congress.
    The army says increased responsibilities in preventing terrorism and a need to replace equipment and procure new defence systems justify the extra spending.The army says increased responsibilities in preventing terrorism and a need to replace equipment and procure new defence systems justify the extra spending.