Ahmed Chalabi, U.S. source for information leading to the Iraq war, arrives in Washington today to meet with Bush Administration officials for the first time in two years. Allegations that Chalabi provided the U.S. with false pre-war intelligence regarding Saddam Hussein, combined with allegations that he passed U.S. secrets to Iran, have strained America's relationship with the man the Tehran's hardline government recently endorsed to lead Iraq.
In response to his visit, Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and 18 members of the U.S. Congress (with other signers expected to follow,) are sending a letter to Chalabi requesting he meet with them regarding the role his intelligence paid in respect to the lead-up to the Iraq war.
The letter, in its entirety, follows:
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November 8, 2005
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi
Iraqi National Congress
c/o The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown
3100 South Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Dear Mr. Deputy Prime Minister:
In the months leading up to the present conflict in Iraq,
information from your close circle of associates was a key element in
the Bush Administration's effort to convince the public of the need to
go to war. As one of the leading Members of the Iraqi National
Congress, you were responsible for providing a major portion of the
information the Bush Administration used to persuade Members of
Congress and the American people that a war with Iraq was neccessary.
Most notably, an "Iraqi chemical engineer" designated
"Curveball" supplied hundreds of pages "firsthand" descriptions of
mobile biological and chemical weapons facilities to the United States
Defense Intelligence Agency. Secretary of State Colin Powell later
used this information in his February 2003 address to the United
Nations detailing the state of Iraq's weapons programs.
Since then, the Congress and the American public have
determined that these "firsthand" accounts were entirely fabricated.
Moreover, we have learned that "Curveball" is, in fact, the brother of
one of your top lieutenants within the Iraqi National Congress.
Secretary Powell has since apologized for the use of such
"intelligence" in making his case for the invasion of Iraq. However,
neither you nor your associatees have ever fully accounted for the
role you played in the buildup to this war, or for the $340,000 you
and your associates received every month from the United States
intelligence community for your efforts in gathering "evidence."
We respectfully request that you make yourself available to us
to explain the details and reasons for your involvement in the
manipulation of intelligence as the Bush Administration pushed for
war. It is vital to the integrity of both our democracies that the
truth behind these terribly destructive events be known.
In 2002, you told the New York Times that the Iraqi people
"are grateful to President Bush for liberating Iraq, but it is time
for the Iraqi people to run their affairs." As members of Congress
and concerned citizens, we, too, seek an end to this war and a
conclusion to the violence that has plagued both our countries for
years. Your cooperation in this investigation will serve as an
invaluable aid to the American people as we labor towards a final
resolution in Iraq.Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi
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November 8, 2005
We therefore encourage you to meet with us during your visit
to the United States this week, explain your actions to the public,
and help the people of both Iraq and the United States to understand
why we are at war today. Please reply through the Judiciary Committee
Democratic office, 2142 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
20515, (tel: 202-225-6504; fax: 202-225-4423).
