This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/5386162.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bush aides back Iraq report move Bush aides back Iraq report move
(about 2 hours later)
The Bush administration has defended its partial release of a report linking the Iraq conflict to global terrorism against calls for the full report.The Bush administration has defended its partial release of a report linking the Iraq conflict to global terrorism against calls for the full report.
A White House aide said the terror report could not be released in full because of national security issues.A White House aide said the terror report could not be released in full because of national security issues.
Opposition Democrats argue that the parts of the intelligence report declassified on Tuesday do not give Americans enough information.Opposition Democrats argue that the parts of the intelligence report declassified on Tuesday do not give Americans enough information.
There are also rumours of a damning second report being held back.There are also rumours of a damning second report being held back.
Jane Harman, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, suggested this alleged second report, focusing only on Iraq, was being "held until after the November [mid-term] elections".Jane Harman, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, suggested this alleged second report, focusing only on Iraq, was being "held until after the November [mid-term] elections".
She had not seen the alleged report, but added: "I hear it paints a grim picture."She had not seen the alleged report, but added: "I hear it paints a grim picture."
'Information for al-Qaeda''Information for al-Qaeda'
President George W Bush released excerpts from the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on global terror - compiled by all 16 US intelligence agencies - after leaks to the US media.President George W Bush released excerpts from the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on global terror - compiled by all 16 US intelligence agencies - after leaks to the US media.
Jihadists, although a small percentage of Muslims, are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion National Intelligence Estimate href="/1/hi/world/americas/5383614.stm" class="">Declassified excerpts Terror tops Bush-Karzai talks Jihadists, although a small percentage of Muslims, are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion National Intelligence Estimate href="/1/hi/world/americas/5386136.stm" class="">US press unmoved by report Terror tops Bush-Karzai talks
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.
White House homeland security adviser Fran Townsend said parts of the NIE had been held back because they "go directly to national security concerns" and there were concerns about disclosing sources and methods.White House homeland security adviser Fran Townsend said parts of the NIE had been held back because they "go directly to national security concerns" and there were concerns about disclosing sources and methods.
Peter Hoekstra, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said the administration was wary "about the kind of information we want to give al-Qaeda".Peter Hoekstra, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said the administration was wary "about the kind of information we want to give al-Qaeda".
The decision to release some of the NIE was endorsed by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.The decision to release some of the NIE was endorsed by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
"The American people and the world will be able to see the truth and precisely what that document says," he said on a visit to Albania."The American people and the world will be able to see the truth and precisely what that document says," he said on a visit to Albania.
Correspondents say the NIE excerpts give some comfort to the White House because they conclude that victory in Iraq would be a big blow to the enemy.Correspondents say the NIE excerpts give some comfort to the White House because they conclude that victory in Iraq would be a big blow to the enemy.
Key points of the report includeKey points of the report include
  • the Iraq conflict has become a rallying cause for jihadists
  • the Iraq conflict has become a rallying cause for jihadists
  • Militants, although a small percentage of Muslims, are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion
  • Militants, although a small percentage of Muslims, are increasing in both number and geographic dispersion
  • If this trend continues, threats to US interests globally will become more diverse leading to increased attacks worldwide
  • If this trend continues, threats to US interests globally will become more diverse leading to increased attacks worldwide
  • Militants consider Europe an important venue for attacking Western interests
  • Militants consider Europe an important venue for attacking Western interests
  • The loss of key leaders in rapid succession would probably fracture al-Qaeda into smaller groups that would pose, at least for a time, a less serious threat to US interests
  • The loss of key leaders in rapid succession would probably fracture al-Qaeda into smaller groups that would pose, at least for a time, a less serious threat to US interests
    • Debate voted downDebate voted down
    Mr Bush has accused those behind leaking the terror NIE of trying to mislead the American public for political purposes ahead of the November elections.Mr Bush has accused those behind leaking the terror NIE of trying to mislead the American public for political purposes ahead of the November elections.
    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
    Democrat Senators Edward Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and Carl Levin said the public needed to know more from the report and accused the administration of selective declassification.Democrat Senators Edward Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and Carl Levin said the public needed to know more from the report and accused the administration of selective declassification.
    "The American people deserve the full story, not those parts of it that the Bush administration selects," Sen Kennedy said."The American people deserve the full story, not those parts of it that the Bush administration selects," Sen Kennedy said.
    "President Bush should declassify the entire NIE.""President Bush should declassify the entire NIE."
    They also called for a briefing behind closed doors with John Negroponte, the director of national intelligence.They also called for a briefing behind closed doors with John Negroponte, the director of national intelligence.
    A Democrat proposal for a secret session of the House of Representatives to give lawmakers the chance to discuss the report was voted down.A Democrat proposal for a secret session of the House of Representatives to give lawmakers the chance to discuss the report was voted down.