The War Against Iraq Was Conceived, Planned, and May Have Been at Least Partly Financed in Secret

Pelosi: 'The War Against Iraq Was Conceived, Planned, and May Have Been at Least Partly Financed in Secret

Washington, D.C.-House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on news reports that the Bush Administration diverted money from the war against terrorism in Afghanistan to plan for the war in Iraq:

"For months, Democrats have been concerned that operations in Iraq were being conducted at the expense of the war on terrorism in Afghanistan. Despite repeated requests, no comprehensive accounting of money spent has been provided by the Bush Administration. Now we may know one reason why.

"Reports that the Bush Administration may have improperly diverted money appropriated for the war against terrorism in Afghanistan to begin preparations for the military campaign against Iraq are consistent with other examples of the Administration's failure to deal openly with Congress.

"The war against Iraq was conceived in secret, planned in secret, and may have been at least partly financed in secret. These reports make clear that Congress must be very careful in how much discretion it gives the Administration over the use of funds in Afghanistan or Iraq. Congress needs to be more vigorous in its oversight of all aspects of the Iraq war. Oversight should be conducted as much as possible through public hearings and must examine how we arrived at the current situation in Iraq and how that situation can be brought to a successful conclusion."