Pentagon did 'inappropriate' Iraq work: Sources

Washington, Feb 9: A US watchdog agency has concluded aPentagon office conducted intelligence work in the build-up to the Iraqwar that was not illegal but was inappropriate, US defense officialssaid.

Democrats in Congress have alleged the unit, under former USdefense policy chief Douglas Feith, a strong advocate of deposingSaddam Hussein, twisted intelligence information to suggest linksbetween Iraq and militants from al Qaeda.

The Pentagon inspector general's report concluded the Office ofSpecial Plans in Feith's department had done nothing illegal orunauthorised but that some of its activities were ''inappropriate'',two US defense officials told Reuters.

The report found the office had produced ''alternative intelligence estimates,'' one official said.

The Pentagon took issue with that finding, believing Feith'soffice had given a critique of intelligence information but notproduced intelligence products, the official said.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as the report hasnot been released. An unclassified summary is to be published todaymorning, when the Senate Armed Services Committee is briefed on itsfindings.

Both officials said the report made no recommendations.

Top Bush administration officials cited alleged ties between Iraqand al Qaeda as a justification for the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

But the bipartisan commission which investigated the September 11attacks on the United States in 2001 later reported that nocollaborative relationship existed between the two.

The inspector general's office declined to comment on its report ahead of the Senate briefing.

But the report was made available to the Senate IntelligenceCommittee yesterday afternoon and its chairman, a Democrat, was swiftto speak out.

''The IG (inspector general) has concluded that this office wasengaged in intelligence activities. The Senate Intelligence Committeewas never informed of these activities,'' Sen John Rockefeller of WestVirginia said in a statement.

''Whether these actions were authorized or not, it appears thatthey were not in compliance with the law.'' He said he would consultwith the committee's vice chairman, Republican Kit Bond of Missouri, todetermine whether any further action was warranted.

Reuters

Related Stories