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Iraq war fuels terror - US report Iraq war fuels terror - US report
(about 1 hour later)
The Iraq conflict has become a "cause celebre" for Islamic militants worldwide, declassified parts of a US intelligence report say.The Iraq conflict has become a "cause celebre" for Islamic militants worldwide, declassified parts of a US intelligence report say.
It has been "cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement," the National Intelligence Estimate says.It has been "cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement," the National Intelligence Estimate says.
President George W Bush promised to release parts of the report following earlier leaks to the US media.President George W Bush promised to release parts of the report following earlier leaks to the US media.
Mr Bush said he strongly disagreed with his opponents who thought "going into Iraq was a mistake".Mr Bush said he strongly disagreed with his opponents who thought "going into Iraq was a mistake".
Key parts of the report however, confirmed the media leaks.Key parts of the report however, confirmed the media leaks.
The Iraq conflict had bred "a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world, the report said.The Iraq conflict had bred "a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world, the report said.
Jihadists, although a small percentage of Muslims, are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion National Intelligence Estimate Declassified excerpts Terror tops Bush-Karzai talks
"Perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere," it said."Perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere," it 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.""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. Other key points in the report include:
Opposition Democrats tried unsuccessfully to hold a closed session in the House of Representatives to discuss the report earlier, but were voted down.
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  • Militants, although a small percentage of Muslims, are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion
One the ground in Iraq:
  • Risk of more diverse threats to US targets
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    • At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in a series of blasts in and around Baghdad
  • Risk of increased attacks worldwide
  • There were angry scenes in parliament as it began discussing a draft law on federalism
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  • Militants consider Europe important target
    • 'Mistake'
  • Loss of key leaders in rapid succession would fracture al-Qaeda.
    • The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says the conclusions will be uncomfortable reading for the Bush administration.
    The leaked excerpts from the report were first published by the New York Times on Sunday.The leaked excerpts from the report were first published by the New York Times on Sunday.
    Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Mr Bush condemned the leak, which he said was intended to influence Congressional elections due in November.
    He also called his critics "naive" and said declassification would let people judge the document for themselves.
    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, which he said was intended to influence Congressional elections due in November. "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 added.
    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.
    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' On the ground in Iraq at least 13 people were killed and dozens injured in a series of blasts in and around Baghdad on Tuesday.
    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.
    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.
    The army says increased responsibilities in preventing terrorism and a need to replace equipment and procure new defence systems justify the extra spending.