Confusion, not guilt, greets Bush's Dubai accusation

[dArKeR]

Computer salesmen and technicians wandered around in shock, and the receptionist could not handle the number of calls that were coming in from around the world on Thursday to the sleek headquarters of SMB Group, an information technology organization.

The cause of the disruption was US President George W. Bush's speech to the National Defense University on Wednesday, in which he described the nuclear black market network created by the Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. Bush said that Khan's deputy was B.S.A. Tahir, who "ran SMB Computer, a business in Dubai," which was a "front for the proliferation activities of the A.Q. Khan network."

Puzzled employees said they had more questions than answers and declined to comment.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/02/14/2003098719

More intelligence from the CIA or Cheney?

[burrowowl]

1. Idiocy

And why has the maladministration not funded inventory and destruction of former USSR nukes and why has the maladministration asked for the U$ to research (we already have them) and produce zillions of so-called 'tactical' nukes.
Why has the maladministration turned a blind eye to Pakistan, etc. etc., etc.

[opihimoimoi]

2. WE chose an inept idiot to lead us, whadda ya expect, good

answers.???

[Benhurst]

4. We didn't choose Bush*. Five corrupt Supreme Court Justices did.

:hurts:

[Snazzy]

3. sounded like he was saying 'doobie' to me

Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.

[htuttle]

5. "Hello, SMB Computer. Can I help you?"

"No, sir. We have no nuclear weapons for sale here. However, we do have a special on external DVD-RWs, 20% off this week."

:eyes:

[loudnclear]

6. Did Bush just "out" US covert operation with this statement?

If he knows all this it has to be because we have some covert ops working in that company. Bush just doesn't find out things on his own.

[ljm2002]

7. Excellent question

Could it be, to get even with the CIA for their insistence in following up on the Plame matter? Is it a game of chicken to see who blinks first -- because if it is a CIA operation, the next question is, are they willing to reveal that fact or will they have to let the President's accusation stand unanswered, and deal with the fallout themselves?

But of course that is just speculation. There are many other possible scenarios. My point is it is unusual for a president to bring up a specific company that is under suspicion -- what do others make of that?