Richard Perle: ‘I Don’t Believe I Was Wrong’ About Iraq

Richard Perle: ‘I Don’t Believe I Was Wrong’ About Iraq

Appearing on BBC’s Hardtalk with Stephen Sackur this weekend, Iraq war architect Richard Perle attempted, on the one hand, to distance himself from the failures of the Iraq war, and on the other hand, to claim it was a fantastic success.

“I’m not happy about the way events have unfolded in Iraq,” Perle began. But when asked whether he felt a “sense of personal responsibility” for what has happened in the aftermath of the invasion, Perle said “I certainly don’t consider myself responsible” for the disastrous post-war occupation of Iraq.

Asked whether he was wrong on Iraq, Perle gave this response:

Well, I don’t believe I was wrong. Let me be very clear about that. What I think happened is that a successful invasion was turned into an unsuccessful occupation. I didn’t favor the occupation strategy. I think the occupation was a mistake.

Perle also defended his pre-war claim that regime change in Iraq would bring about “dancing in the streets.” “Essentially,” there was, said Perle. “The Iraqis actually tend to shoot weapons in the air rather than dance in the streets,” he observed. “But we were regarded as liberators at the beginning.” Watch it:

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But once the war began, Perle specifically endorsed the Paul Bremer-led occupation of Iraq. And repeatedly claimed it was producing good results. Appearing on Fox News on April 7, 2004, Perle said, “We’re making so much progress with most Iraqis that those who feel threatened by the progress are more devoted and more energetic than ever to try to destroy the progress we’re making.”

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http://thinkprogress.org/2007/11/23/perle-iraq-wrong/
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What a nut!

he whole heartedly supported the bremer occupation -- and then later said the occpation went very wrong and was bad --

conservatives -- and pnac conservatives in particular -- are dangerous to civilization.

and winning the election most certainly won't mean the endo them -- or their influence in conservative politics.
the fight with these guys will be long.

I have come to the conclusion that Perle is either so brainwashed that he can't see what's in front of his face, or he figures that deep denial will fool all of the people all the time.

I'm sure he believe Iran would be a success.

Methinks someone might be blanketing their hindquarters.

are simply aiming in the wrong direction when they are firing their weapons...they should be reminded to shoot up in the air. Perle is trying to rewrite his history. Bremer certainly didn't do the Iraqi's much good.

be in a position where he or she can make or influence a decision more complicated than tea or coffee.

I believe he called him incompetent over the occupation. That was a year or so ago, maybe earlier this year. Wish I had a link.

and he won't stand for that; ergo, he isn't wrong. Everybody ELSE is!

a villain. He knows that he is in no danger of facing justice for what he did. He knows also that all he has to do is keep repeating his lies and they will become part of the historical record. Challenging, exposing and prosecuting creatures like this aren't anyone's business, especially not the MSM, which continues to pay court to them. Protected by power and influence, Perle will go on insisting he was right because doing so maintains the possibility of that perception, and the political, economic and military establishment require its maintenance.

have destroyed the USA and have no remorse. A stake through the heart is needed for these vampires.

fed society, corporate platform for the coup they are pulling over on us - elections? I wonder and doubt. How do the tv and paper peoplle live with themselves? The hypocrisy in this ocountry is a travesty.

out classed in absolutely every possible way.. these Neocons are not intellectuals, and are always wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNAGE9rLFRg

Sounds bad but here it is if you never heard it :)

Hmm, even if that were true, shouldn't that have been calculated into the original strategic thinking on Iraq? Occupations more often than not turn out badly so that should have been one more reason to consider whether or not it really was necessary to attack Iraq. Point is the neocons were so busy salivating over a cakewalk invasion that they entirely forgot to do any planning for the aftermath.

He won't be forgotten.