Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7-15-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS IRAQ (L ONITER)

NUMBER=2-305458

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The head of the Central Intelligence Agency is expected to face tough questions before a Senate panel Wednesday concerning faulty intelligence about Iraq's weapons program. That intelligence was cited by President Bush as he made the case for war in Iraq earlier this year. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: C-I-A Director George Tenet will appear before a closed session of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Lawmakers are seeking assurances about the quality of U-S intelligence after Mr. Tenet last week took responsibility for a discredited statement in President Bush's State of the Union address in January. The statement said Iraq had sought uranium from Africa.

Congressional Democrats have seized on the matter as a political issue. Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts:

/// KENNEDY ACTUALITY ///

It is a disgrace that the case for war seems to have been based on shoddy intelligence, hyped intelligence, and even false intelligence.

/// END ACT ///

Republicans argue it was an unfortunate mistake, but maintain the President had a strong case for war. Senate majority leader Bill Frist of Tennessee.

/// FRIST ACTUALITY ///

The world is a better place having Saddam Hussein and his regime no longer in power.

/// END ACT ///

Although the President has blamed the C-I-A for the statement on African uranium, he has expressed confidence in Director Tenet. (signed)

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