Why Didn't Colin Powell Know There Were No WMDs?

Question

Do people view Colin Powell as being very very competent?

If so, are you surprised that he failed to realize that there were no WMDs?

Answer 1

Everyone thought there were WMDs. Even the UN.

Answer 2

Saddam's own soldiers didn't know there were no WMD's, let alone most of the world's intelligence agencies. Truth is, if the United States had KNOWN that there were no WMD's, perhaps there wouldn't have been an invasion. However, it was too big a risk after the events of 9/11 to ASSUME that there were no WMD's - especially given Saddam's history, the vast amounts found and destroyed by the U.N. inspectors and Saddam's prior dismal compliance with the UN resolutions.

Answer 3

Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die.....
A good soldier does not question the order, he performs the task only upon reflection did he decide he could no longer serve those who use their men so unwisely.
The UN report from UNSCOM stated only that Iraq had the capacity to hide WMD but stated clearly that no WMD were found nor was it likely that that Iraq had reconstituted it's weapons program. I've met Scott Ritter Chief inspector for UNSCOM 1992 to 1998 twice He was called a traitor for calling into account the actual report in 2003. He has also written a book about the inspections 1992 to 1998

Answer 4

Oh, so just what the *ELL was that they found in a UN building just this past week, that came from Iraq over 10 years ago?! A freakin' WMD, people! Still deadly, dumba** UN Inspectors too stupid and LOST it, but it's FROM IRAQ...Do you understand that Chemical Weapons, not just nuclear missiles, are WMDs, and are valid reasons to invade Iraq? DO YOU!? No, you're too stupid. Go back to your liberal news rags and read regurgitated garbage that you are so used to eating up greedily.

- The Gremlin Guy -

Answer 5

He knew just like all the others in the Bush administration. All he was trying to do was convince other people to agree with him long enough to permit the invasion, and after that it wouldn't make any difference since it would have been too late.

Mission accomplished I would say. Americans are pretty damned gullible.

Answer 6

Whether he realized this or not Powell was a soldier and obeyed orders. He did what he was asked to do. They purposefully sent Powell to the UN because he had the most credibility. He did resign shortly after so that should tell you something about what he really believed to be the case in Iraq.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, he was by-passed on many of the decisions that were taken to propagate the LIE... The Pentagon, led by RUMPLESFELD, was declaring that they were not into 'nation building' and the Iraqis would be so pleased to see the American Military that the streets of Baghdad would be strewn with rose petals..... unfortunately neither happened.

They are all responsible but I cannot wait to read Powell's book.

Answer 8

Like everyone else, Powell was sure that Saddam had WMDs. We knew he had used them in the past, that he did everything he could stop the search for them, and that every world leader came to the same conclusions the Bush administration did that in fact Saddam did have them. The real question should be, what did Saddam do with them?

Answer 9

Collin Powell was and is one of the smartest most loyal of the republican pack,,HE DID KNOW,,,I think he must have known . but a good solder he was and is...worthy of the company of Karl Rove...not the likes of a Dicky boy Cheney,,,they lied to him man,,,,but he knew,,cause he smarter than ,,all but KARL....chow

Answer 10

There were WMD's. He used them on the Kurds when he gassed them.