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US official retracts Iraq remarks US official retracts Iraq remarks
(about 1 hour later)
The US state department official who said that the US had shown "arrogance and stupidity" in Iraq has apologised for his comments.The US state department official who said that the US had shown "arrogance and stupidity" in Iraq has apologised for his comments.
Alberto Fernandez, who made the remarks during an interview with Arabic TV station al-Jazeera, said that he had "seriously misspoke". Alberto Fernandez, who made the remarks during an interview with Arabic TV station al-Jazeera, said he had "seriously misspoke".
His comments did not represent the views of the state department, he said.His comments did not represent the views of the state department, he said.
His remarks came at a time of intense scrutiny of White House Iraq policy, with mid-term elections due next month. The BBC's Sarah Morris in Washington says it is unclear if Mr Fernandez was told by his seniors to apologise.
His original remarks have resonated with many Democrats and some Republicans who have been urging the administration to shift their course in the conflict, she says.
They came at a time of intense scrutiny of White House Iraq policy, with mid-term elections due next month.
Mr Fernandez is an Arabic speaker who is director of public diplomacy in the state department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.Mr Fernandez is an Arabic speaker who is director of public diplomacy in the state department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
On Saturday, he told the Qatar-based broadcaster that the world was "witnessing failure in Iraq".On Saturday, he told the Qatar-based broadcaster that the world was "witnessing failure in Iraq".
Upon reading the transcript of my appearance on al-Jazeera, I realised that I seriously misspoke Alberto FernandezUpon reading the transcript of my appearance on al-Jazeera, I realised that I seriously misspoke Alberto Fernandez
"That's not the failure of the United States alone, but it is a disaster for the region," he said."That's not the failure of the United States alone, but it is a disaster for the region," he said.
"I think there is great room for strong criticism, because without doubt, there was arrogance and stupidity by the United States in Iraq.""I think there is great room for strong criticism, because without doubt, there was arrogance and stupidity by the United States in Iraq."
State department spokesman Sean McCormack initially said that Mr Fernandez had been quoted incorrectly and rejected his comments.State department spokesman Sean McCormack initially said that Mr Fernandez had been quoted incorrectly and rejected his comments.
And in a statement posted on the state department's website, Mr Fernandez retracted his remarks.And in a statement posted on the state department's website, Mr Fernandez retracted his remarks.
"Upon reading the transcript of my appearance on al-Jazeera, I realised that I seriously misspoke by using the phrase: 'There has been arrogance and stupidity' by the US in Iraq," he said."Upon reading the transcript of my appearance on al-Jazeera, I realised that I seriously misspoke by using the phrase: 'There has been arrogance and stupidity' by the US in Iraq," he said.
"This represents neither my views nor those of the state department. I apologise.""This represents neither my views nor those of the state department. I apologise."
The BBC's Sarah Morris in Washington says whether Mr Fernandez was told by his seniors to apologise or whether he did it of his own accord is not clear.The BBC's Sarah Morris in Washington says whether Mr Fernandez was told by his seniors to apologise or whether he did it of his own accord is not clear.
His original remarks have resonated with many Democrats and some Republicans who have been urging the administration to shift their course in the conflict, she says.His original remarks have resonated with many Democrats and some Republicans who have been urging the administration to shift their course in the conflict, she says.