Powell wasn't told of $25 billion Iraq request

Posted 5/6/2004 9:19 PM
By Kathy Kiely and Barbara Slavin, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Shortly before Bush administration officials presented Republican congressional leaders with a request for $25 billion in Iraq funding this week, Secretary of State Colin Powell was telling members of the Congressional Black Caucus that no such request would be forthcoming.

Powell's associates tried to downplay the mix-up of him not knowing about the $25 billion request for funding in Iraq.
By Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

"I'm stunned he didn't know," Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, one of the Black Caucus members who met with Powell, said Thursday.

Powell's associates tried to downplay the mix-up. But it underscores the continuing rift between President Bush's departments of State and Defense and deepens the impression that the nation's top diplomat is being cut out of the decision-making process. "It's unbelievable that our chief diplomat is not being heard," said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., another Black Caucus member. "It's tragic and it's dangerous."


http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-05-06-powell-funding_x.htm

It'll be $50B.

http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

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But it's really cool!

I don't usually start LBN threads... But thanks! I like it too. :)

REUTERS , WASHINGTON
Friday, May 07, 2004,Page 1

US President George W. Bush on Wednesday asked Congress for an additional US$25 billion to fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, breaking a pledge not to seek more money before the November election.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/05/07/2003154410

Or does that only apply if you're a Democrat? I forget...

It's hard sometimes to keep up with the evolution of language.

This administration has no cohesion. It's anarchy, at the highest levels. It's like a Shakesperean play.

powell said whatever you say karl.

maladministration knows what the other is doing?

"I didn't know"
"I don't recall"
"I wasn't there"
"I wasn't informed"

you know, the "it's not my fault" because....

... and the Ambassador (Bremer, Negroponte) obviously don't report to Powell like other Ambassadors. The "chain of command" over there must be a real spider's nest.

King Cheney is going to help ease the deficit by eliminating the State Department.

It's not being used anyway. Save a lotta payroll bringing those diplomats home to be greeters at Walmart.

Or maybe manning customer service phone banks to explain the 70 new Medicare discount cards to senior citizens.

"No ma'am, I never saw the Florida 'butterfly' ballots...I'm sorry you feel that way, ma'am..."

Powell was the last to be told of the decision to invade Iraq.

I ain't buying it.

any chance they can.

the right hand not knowing what the REICH-hand is doing

Still think you're in the loop, Colonoscopy Powell? You're the last person they tell anything to.

to bow and scrape for massa, resignation is the best way for him to save whatever honor (if any) he has left.

Was he standing closer to Cheney than Rumsfeld was?

Where's my tea leaves?