Cablegate: Media Reaction Iraq; Harare

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS HARARE 001169

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INR/R/MR AND AF/PDPA FOR DALTON, MITCHELL AND SIMS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO KMDR ZI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION IRAQ; HARARE

1. Under headline "Bush and Blair lied about Iraq" the
pro-government weekly "The Sunday Mirror" dedicated its
June 8 editorial to criticizing the United States-led war
against Iraq, saying, "the invasion of Iraq was unjust."
Adding: "Bush and Blair are shameless liars." Excerpts:

2. "Statements by a senior U. S. defense official that
Pentagon had `no reliable information' that Iraq had
chemical and biological weapons have clearly left both the
White House and Number 10 Downing Street with egg in the
face. . .After nearly two months in which British and U. S.
troops have occupied huge swaths of Iraq, detaining and
interrogating leading Ba'athist officials and scientists,
no trace has been found of any chemical and biological
weapons arsenal. . .Global opinion appears to be vindicated
in its criticism of the unjustified attack on Iraq. As
Bush and Blair, along with the Australians, renew their
hunt for Iraq's elusive WMDs, the world remains firm in its
conviction that the invasion of Iraq was unjust and that
Bush and Blair are shameless liars."

SULLIVAN

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