Doubt over Zarqawi's role as ringleader

[cal04]

American intelligence obtained through bribery may have seriously overstated the insurgency role of the most wanted fugitive in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

The overwhelming sense from the information we are now getting is that the number of foreign fighters does not exceed several hundred and is perhaps as low as 200," one agent said.

"From the information we have gathered, we have to conclude Zarqawi is more myth than man. At some stage, and perhaps even now, he was almost certainly behind some of the kidnappings. But if there is a main leader of the insurgency, he would be an Iraqi. But the insurgency is not nearly so centralised to talk of a structured leadership."

Military intelligence officials complain that their reports to Washington are largely being ignored and accuse the Pentagon of over-reliance on electronic surveillance and aerial and satellite reconnaissance by the CIA.

http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news2/age14.html

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/01/1096527932416.html?oneclick=true

[George_S]

1. Well, of cousre

During the debate, didn't Bush just cite al-Zarqawi has the new reason to invade Iraq?

But al-Zarqawi was there!

[Karenina]

2. Where's his "band of brothers"

who can vouch for his presence? :evilgrin: