President in Denial About Worsening Security Situation in Iraq

Pelosi: President in Denial About Worsening Security Situation in Iraq

Washington, D.C. - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on media reports this week on the National Intelligence Estimate for Iraq:

"For more than a decade, intelligence assessments have consistently held that the challenge in Iraq was not toppling Saddam Hussein by military force, it was dealing with the aftermath.

"President Bush justified his choice to invade Iraq on the claim that Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction that posed an imminent threat to the United States. It has long been clear that no such threat existed. What is also clear is that, despite ample warning from the State Department, President Bush had no plan, in fact still has no plan, for dealing effectively with security in Iraq.

"The costs of President Bush's failure to plan continue to mount - for U.S. military personnel in lives lost and wounds suffered, and for the American taxpayer in billions of dollars spent and billions more to come.

"More than 18 months after the Iraq invasion, the security situation is getting worse. According to media reports about the most recent National Intelligence Estimate, its pessimistic tone is so at odds with President Bush's public statements that the only conclusion to be drawn is that the President in denial about this assessment. That is why his Administration policy does not reflect the National Intelligence Estimate, which asserts that the outcome in Iraq is far from certain. The corner has not been turned; indeed, it is not even in sight."