1/. On 19 March, it’ll be 20 years since the start of the #IraqWar
50 days before war, #OTD in 2003, Bush said “the 16 words”
“The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa”
It was a lie, based on a forgery
50 days before war, #OTD in 2003, Bush said “the 16 words”
“The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa”
It was a lie, based on a forgery
20/. “Journalists had very little choice but to accept our version of events & relay it more or less unedited to the public. Govt is an information machine. If journalists weren’t supportive we’d freeze them out” @carneross
Media complicity in #IraqWar👇 https://t.co/NV8DkUoNFN
Media complicity in #IraqWar👇 https://t.co/NV8DkUoNFN
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1213912586888069126
21/. Whilst US & UK journalists, editors, & columnists regurgitated official falsehoods & built the case for war, the public were far from convinced
#OTD 20 years ago, preparations were being made for the biggest demos ever seen & Human Shields were starting to arrive in Baghdad https://t.co/lbB7vcMKh5
#OTD 20 years ago, preparations were being made for the biggest demos ever seen & Human Shields were starting to arrive in Baghdad https://t.co/lbB7vcMKh5
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1608399400065241090
22/. #OTD 20 years ago, 3 State Dept bureau chiefs warned that “serious planning gaps for postconflict public security & humanitarian assistance could result in serious human rights abuses, which would undermine an otherwise successful military campaign, & our reputation intn’ly”
23/. #OTD 20yrs ago, Terry Jones wrote an eviscerating piece about the absurdity of war based on the principle of anticipatory self-defence: the idea of fighting a war on the basis of what states might do rather than what they have done or are about to do
https://t.co/7qJt2uKGBRamp.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan…
https://t.co/7qJt2uKGBRamp.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan…
24/. #OTD 20 years ago, Bush addressed the nation claiming that “firsthand witnesses have informed us that Iraq has at least seven mobile factories for germ warfare"
The source was "Curveball" whose former work site was visited by a UN team #0TD who disproved many of his claims
The source was "Curveball" whose former work site was visited by a UN team #0TD who disproved many of his claims
25/. “They gave a false presentation of what you said to them?”
“On some aspects…I think they were trying to make a stronger case for the war”
Michael Morell, Bush’s CIA intelligence briefer, admitted in 2015 claims about Iraq’s nuclear program & links with Al Qaeda were false
“On some aspects…I think they were trying to make a stronger case for the war”
Michael Morell, Bush’s CIA intelligence briefer, admitted in 2015 claims about Iraq’s nuclear program & links with Al Qaeda were false
26/. For 20 years, those behind the Iraq invasion & their apologists, have tried to deflect blame on "intelligence failures"
But the intelligence was not "bad"
It was just cherry picked, distorted & overstated
The “failure” was that it was knowingly signed off by intel chiefs https://t.co/EYLPwDk5pv
But the intelligence was not "bad"
It was just cherry picked, distorted & overstated
The “failure” was that it was knowingly signed off by intel chiefs https://t.co/EYLPwDk5pv
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/419117186179821568
27/. Even in the face of the barrage of propaganda, few people I knew were remotely convinced by Bush & Blair’s justifications for an attack on Iraq
15 Feb 2003 saw the biggest protest in world history, with an estimated 30 million people marching in 600+ cities around the globe https://t.co/sSVys3bDgI
15 Feb 2003 saw the biggest protest in world history, with an estimated 30 million people marching in 600+ cities around the globe https://t.co/sSVys3bDgI
https://twitter.com/omid9/status/1624703157900128258
28/. On the London demo was Katherine Gunn who worked at GCHQ
On Feb 2003, she leaked a US request to the UK for help to bug the offices of six "swing nations" on the UN Security Council whose vote could determine whether the UN approved the Iraq invasion
https://t.co/QMjq1FgTzF
On Feb 2003, she leaked a US request to the UK for help to bug the offices of six "swing nations" on the UN Security Council whose vote could determine whether the UN approved the Iraq invasion
https://t.co/QMjq1FgTzF
https://twitter.com/OSFilmUK/status/1138732672639881216
29/. “As part of its battle to win votes in favour of war against Iraq [the US govt developed] an aggressive surveillance operation, which involves interception of the home & office telephones & the emails of UN delegates.” @guardian
Bugging devices were found inside UN offices. https://t.co/rXzDXScVil
Bugging devices were found inside UN offices. https://t.co/rXzDXScVil
https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/1581246557885583360
30/. #OTD 20 years ago, UN weapons inspector Han Blix told the UNSC that Iraq appeared to be cooperating with inspectors
None of the suspected weapons sites identified by the CIA held WMDs
Cheney set about discrediting Blix as he’d threatened on 30/10/02
None of the suspected weapons sites identified by the CIA held WMDs
Cheney set about discrediting Blix as he’d threatened on 30/10/02
31/. “The rallies followed the sun, starting in Australia & ending in America”
#OTD 20yrs ago, 30m people spilled onto the streets to march against invading Iraq
See @WeAreManyMovie with @mrdannyglover @Damonalbarn @OborneTweets @codepink @richardbranson
#OTD 20yrs ago, 30m people spilled onto the streets to march against invading Iraq
See @WeAreManyMovie with @mrdannyglover @Damonalbarn @OborneTweets @codepink @richardbranson
32/. “People always used to say to me: listen to the people. That was a fine idea, of course, but unfortunately the people were all saying different things” (Blair)
#OTD 20 years ago ago, it felt as if the entire world was saying the same thing: “Don’t attack Iraq” #Iraq20years
#OTD 20 years ago ago, it felt as if the entire world was saying the same thing: “Don’t attack Iraq” #Iraq20years
33/. Whilst Blair will always be remembered as the man who lied Britain to war in Iraq, there were many others behind him
Alaistair Campbell is the man most associated with the ‘sexed up’ Sept 2002 dossier but Jonathan Powell - Blair’s Chief of Staff - also played a pivotal role
Alaistair Campbell is the man most associated with the ‘sexed up’ Sept 2002 dossier but Jonathan Powell - Blair’s Chief of Staff - also played a pivotal role
34/. “The document does nothing to demonstrate a threat, let alone an imminent threat from Saddam,” Jonathan Powell emailed John Scarlett on 17/9/02
On 19/9/02, he emailed Scarlett again cc’ing Campbell & David Manning:
“I think the statement on page 19…is a bit of a problem”
On 19/9/02, he emailed Scarlett again cc’ing Campbell & David Manning:
“I think the statement on page 19…is a bit of a problem”
35/. Miraculously, John Scarlett - chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee & ‘author’ of the Sept dossier - made the “bit of a problem” go away
He removed the suggestion that Saddam Hussein would use chemical & biological weapons only if he was attacked https://t.co/1eqkH4torrstandard.co.uk/hp/front/no10-…
He removed the suggestion that Saddam Hussein would use chemical & biological weapons only if he was attacked https://t.co/1eqkH4torrstandard.co.uk/hp/front/no10-…
36/. John Scarlett denied having been pressured into making changes to the dossier
Not surprising given he’d sent a memo to Blair's foreign affairs adviser referring to "the benefit of obscuring the fact that in terms of WMD Iraq is not that exceptional"
https://t.co/MoldFkAOT8amp.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jun/26…
Not surprising given he’d sent a memo to Blair's foreign affairs adviser referring to "the benefit of obscuring the fact that in terms of WMD Iraq is not that exceptional"
https://t.co/MoldFkAOT8amp.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jun/26…
37/. As foreign secretary Jack Straw authorised the invasion of Iraq
At the Hutton Inquiry, Straw was forced to admit that he had asked for a “killer paragraph" to be inserted to the Sept Iraq ‘dodgy dossier’ & the document "strengthened" on WMDs #IraqWar
mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/h…
At the Hutton Inquiry, Straw was forced to admit that he had asked for a “killer paragraph" to be inserted to the Sept Iraq ‘dodgy dossier’ & the document "strengthened" on WMDs #IraqWar
mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/h…
38/. In March 2002, defence secretary Geoff Hoon said that Britain could use force in Iraq without a new UN resolution
In 2022, Hoon claimed Jonathan Powell told him to burn legal advice that cast doubt on the legality of the Iraq war written by the attorney general in Jan 2003
In 2022, Hoon claimed Jonathan Powell told him to burn legal advice that cast doubt on the legality of the Iraq war written by the attorney general in Jan 2003
39/. Blair lied to his cabinet & misled parliament, but ultimately they share responsibility for the decision to invade Iraq
As Robin Cook's March 2003 resignation speech made clear, the planned invasion had "neither intn'l agreement nor domestic support"
As Robin Cook's March 2003 resignation speech made clear, the planned invasion had "neither intn'l agreement nor domestic support"
40/. #OTD 20 years ago, Donald Rumsfeld said:
“There’s no question but that [the #Iraq invasion] would be welcomed”
Months later he was asked about this statement
He replied: “Never said that. Never did…You may remember it well, but you’re thinking of somebody else”
@maddow👇
“There’s no question but that [the #Iraq invasion] would be welcomed”
Months later he was asked about this statement
He replied: “Never said that. Never did…You may remember it well, but you’re thinking of somebody else”
@maddow👇
41/. A year before the #IraqInvasion, Blair's foreign policy advisor David Manning, met with Condoleezza Rice
Afterwards, he wrote a memo to Blair:
“I said that you would not budge in your support for regime change but you had to manage a press, a Parliament & a public opinion"
Afterwards, he wrote a memo to Blair:
“I said that you would not budge in your support for regime change but you had to manage a press, a Parliament & a public opinion"
42/. In the build up to the #IraqInvasion Blair was able - with some vocal exceptions - to “manage” parliament & the press
However, as the Iraq demo showed, the British public weren’t convinced
#OTD 20 years ago a @guardian poll found that Tony Blair’s popularity had plummeted
However, as the Iraq demo showed, the British public weren’t convinced
#OTD 20 years ago a @guardian poll found that Tony Blair’s popularity had plummeted
43/. In the run up to the #IraqInvasion most of the UK/US press became increasingly bellicose
#OTD 20 years ago, an OpEd in @guardian asked “What would you suggest?”
By framing the debate around the need to ‘do something about the tyrant Saddam’, the stage was being set for war
#OTD 20 years ago, an OpEd in @guardian asked “What would you suggest?”
By framing the debate around the need to ‘do something about the tyrant Saddam’, the stage was being set for war
44/. OTD 20 years ago, one of the most passionate exponents of war - Blair - met one of the most passionate exponents of peace - the Pope
It didn’t go well
The Pope warned that war would be a “defeat for humanity”
Blair rptdly viewed war in Iraq as part of a "Christian battle" https://t.co/UdZSgOdgdD
It didn’t go well
The Pope warned that war would be a “defeat for humanity”
Blair rptdly viewed war in Iraq as part of a "Christian battle" https://t.co/UdZSgOdgdD
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1535005888414683137
45/. #OTD 20 years ago, Richard Perle said
“UN weapons inspectors are being seriously deceived…It reminds me of the way the Nazis hoodwinked Red Cross officials”
@MelissaFleming, then spokesperson for IAEA’s @ElBaradei, recalls how she “tried in vain to communicate the facts” https://t.co/3boCNxPR3E
“UN weapons inspectors are being seriously deceived…It reminds me of the way the Nazis hoodwinked Red Cross officials”
@MelissaFleming, then spokesperson for IAEA’s @ElBaradei, recalls how she “tried in vain to communicate the facts” https://t.co/3boCNxPR3E
https://twitter.com/MelissaFleming/status/1627318874751500289
46/. “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence” Rumsfeld claimed
But the US & UK stretched this logic even further
Not being able to locate any WMDs was proof that Iraq was hiding their WMDs!
If ‘Saddam’ didn’t hand over his non-existent WMDs, it was war!
(John Prados👇)
But the US & UK stretched this logic even further
Not being able to locate any WMDs was proof that Iraq was hiding their WMDs!
If ‘Saddam’ didn’t hand over his non-existent WMDs, it was war!
(John Prados👇)
47/. “You cannot go on & on putting off the business of excluding the risk that [Saddam] could be a danger to us"
#OTD 20 years ago, Jeremy Greenstock, Britain’s UN ambassador, was pushing the case for war publicly & behind the scenes
A 2nd pro-war resolution, was seen as vital
#OTD 20 years ago, Jeremy Greenstock, Britain’s UN ambassador, was pushing the case for war publicly & behind the scenes
A 2nd pro-war resolution, was seen as vital
48/. #OTD 20 years ago, US Army Chief of Staff Gen Eric Shinseki, told Congress that he estimated “several hundred thousand troops” would be needed to occupy Iraq
Two days later, Paul Wolfowitz rubbished this figure in Congress saying it was “wildly off the mark”
It wasn’t
Two days later, Paul Wolfowitz rubbished this figure in Congress saying it was “wildly off the mark”
It wasn’t
49/. #OTD 20 years ago, US diplomat John Brady Kiesling resigned, citing the “distortion of intelligence” & “systematic manipulation of American opinion"
Asked if his views were shared, he said: ''Not one of my colleagues is comfortable with our policy" nytimes.com/2003/02/27/wor…
Asked if his views were shared, he said: ''Not one of my colleagues is comfortable with our policy" nytimes.com/2003/02/27/wor…
50/. “The threat posed by Islamic terrorists is much greater than that posed by Saddam Hussein & it will get worse when Iraq is attacked…This is the common view throughout the higher reaches of govt”
#OTD 20 years ago, @NortonTaylor got hold of a leaked intelligence document
#OTD 20 years ago, @NortonTaylor got hold of a leaked intelligence document
51/. 20yrs ago, a leaked transcript of the interrogation of Iraqi defector Hussein Kamel, whose evidence was key to US/UK claims of Iraqi deception, found his testimony on WMD was inconclusive & often misleading & concluded that he was a "consummate liar" https://t.co/jy0xGc7JXwamp.theguardian.com/world/2003/mar…
52/. #OTD 20 years ago, Iraq destroyed a further six al-Samoud 2 ballistic missiles, bringing the total eliminated to ten
Saddam Hussein's regime began dismantling the weapons in accordance with a UN deadline set by Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix dw.com/en/more-missil…
Saddam Hussein's regime began dismantling the weapons in accordance with a UN deadline set by Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix dw.com/en/more-missil…
53/. #OTD 20 years ago, an IAEA official told US that the Niger uranium documents were forgeries so error-filled that “they could be spotted by someone using Google”
“These documents [on] uranium transaction between Iraq & Niger are in fact not authentic” @ElBaradei to the UNSC
“These documents [on] uranium transaction between Iraq & Niger are in fact not authentic” @ElBaradei to the UNSC
54/. Ex-IAEA head, @ElBaradei, tweets that “not authentic” was in fact a euphemism
“After weeks of pleadings with intelligence agencies to see the documents, we discovered in no time that they were crude forgery: Part of a grand act of deception to wage an illegal war on Iraq” https://t.co/cx7w9DzVP2
“After weeks of pleadings with intelligence agencies to see the documents, we discovered in no time that they were crude forgery: Part of a grand act of deception to wage an illegal war on Iraq” https://t.co/cx7w9DzVP2
https://twitter.com/ElBaradei/status/1632065497947598860
55/. "The UK cannot lawfully use force against Iraq”
(UK Foreign Office's legal adviser, 24/1/03)
“The correct legal interpretation of Resolution 1441 is that it does not authorise the use of military force without a further determination by the UNSC”
(Attorney General, 31/1/03)
(UK Foreign Office's legal adviser, 24/1/03)
“The correct legal interpretation of Resolution 1441 is that it does not authorise the use of military force without a further determination by the UNSC”
(Attorney General, 31/1/03)
56/. Given Resolution 1441 didn’t authorise military action against #Iraq, the US & UK had tried to convince a sceptical UNSC to approve a second resolution
#OTD 20 years ago US, Britain & Spain presented a revised draft resolution giving Iraq an ultimatum to disarm by 17 March
#OTD 20 years ago US, Britain & Spain presented a revised draft resolution giving Iraq an ultimatum to disarm by 17 March
57/ Bush & Blair may have abjectly failed to make the case for invading Iraq but the US/UK media didn't seem to have noticed & were banging the drum for war ever louder
Was it mere coincidence that the editors of 175 Murdoch publications were all pro-war? https://t.co/pRE4KoEIT0theguardian.com/media/2003/feb…
Was it mere coincidence that the editors of 175 Murdoch publications were all pro-war? https://t.co/pRE4KoEIT0theguardian.com/media/2003/feb…
58/. A year after the #Iraq invasion the @nytimes, admitted some of their coverage of the build-up to the invasion “was not as rigorous as it should have been”
Steve Rendall of @FAIRmediawatch says here that, had the media done its job, he doesn’t believe we’d have gone to war
Steve Rendall of @FAIRmediawatch says here that, had the media done its job, he doesn’t believe we’d have gone to war
59/. "If we had done our job, I do think a strong argument could be made that perhaps we would not have gone to war"
Veteran journalist, @DanRather, speaking about the failure of journalism in the run up to the #Iraq invasion in @johnpilger’s 2010 documentary @WarYouDontSee
Veteran journalist, @DanRather, speaking about the failure of journalism in the run up to the #Iraq invasion in @johnpilger’s 2010 documentary @WarYouDontSee
60/. “What happened was not an intelligence-based process, it was basically a PR process run by No.10 to produce a document that was much more politically credible than the evidence suggested”
Carne Ross was a senior British diplomat at the UN in the run up to the Iraq invasion
Carne Ross was a senior British diplomat at the UN in the run up to the Iraq invasion
61/. In the US & UK most of the news media took the line that “Iraq must disarm or face the consequences”
In so doing they reinforced claims that Iraq possessed the WMDs
In sections of the media, a dishonest equivalence was drawn an between being ‘anti-war” & being “pro-Saddam”
In so doing they reinforced claims that Iraq possessed the WMDs
In sections of the media, a dishonest equivalence was drawn an between being ‘anti-war” & being “pro-Saddam”
62/. By echoing false govt claims the media ensured that - in a poll #OTD 20 years ago - 73% of Americans believed that Iraq was somehow involved in 9/11
Why did so many journalists seem to suspend their critical faculties in the run up to & the invasion?
https://t.co/ixdQ8rIJMQmedium.com/@stefanowitz/h…
Why did so many journalists seem to suspend their critical faculties in the run up to & the invasion?
https://t.co/ixdQ8rIJMQmedium.com/@stefanowitz/h…
63/. “We are doing everything we can to avoid war” Bush told the US, #OTD 20 year ago
It was a lie
The opposite was, in fact, true
In the speech, Bush references 9/11 & says Saddam has “weapons of terror” & supports terrorists “who’d be willing to deliver WMDs against America”
It was a lie
The opposite was, in fact, true
In the speech, Bush references 9/11 & says Saddam has “weapons of terror” & supports terrorists “who’d be willing to deliver WMDs against America”
64/. “We had trouble with your attorney,” a senior Bush lawyer rptdly told a British official. “But we got him there eventually”
30/1/03: Lord Goldsmith made clear that Resolution 1441 didn’t authorise war
7/3/03: He said 2nd Res was “preferable”
17/3/03: He said war is legal
30/1/03: Lord Goldsmith made clear that Resolution 1441 didn’t authorise war
7/3/03: He said 2nd Res was “preferable”
17/3/03: He said war is legal
65/. “Great falsehoods were perpetrated & yet the individuals who perpetrated these things are still running around much as before being taken seriously…These people should hide their heads in shame”
20 years after the #IraqInvasion, there has been zero accountability
#IraqWar
20 years after the #IraqInvasion, there has been zero accountability
#IraqWar
66/. Twenty years after the #IraqInvasion, the buck is still being passed
Politicians blame flawed intelligence
Journalists blame the politicians
“Mistakes were made, lessons will be learned” they say
But these weren’t ‘mistakes’ & there has been no accountability
#IraqWar
Politicians blame flawed intelligence
Journalists blame the politicians
“Mistakes were made, lessons will be learned” they say
But these weren’t ‘mistakes’ & there has been no accountability
#IraqWar
67/. #OTD 20 years ago, the band Dixie Chicks were ‘cancelled’ after criticising the planned #IraqInvasion
George Michael released Shoot the Dog depicting Blair as Bush’s lapdog & asking: “Tony dancing with Dubya, don't you wanna know why?”
#IraqWar #Iraq
https://t.co/3rJtcjiXZo
George Michael released Shoot the Dog depicting Blair as Bush’s lapdog & asking: “Tony dancing with Dubya, don't you wanna know why?”
#IraqWar #Iraq
https://t.co/3rJtcjiXZo
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1623962762048053248
68/. Increasingly isolated, the US & UK pulled together a "coalition of the willing" which included several nations that didn't intend to participate in the #IraqInvasion
Some countries, e.g the Marshall Islands, Palau & Solomon Islands, didn't even have standing armies
#IraqWar
Some countries, e.g the Marshall Islands, Palau & Solomon Islands, didn't even have standing armies
#IraqWar
69/. #OTD 20 years, Bush, Blair, & Aznar met for an “emergency summit” & announced were giving the UN one day to find a diplomatic solution
#OTD in Spain millions staged a #IraqWar work stoppage
3 days later, Spain announced it wouldn’t be committing troops to the #IraqInvasion
#OTD in Spain millions staged a #IraqWar work stoppage
3 days later, Spain announced it wouldn’t be committing troops to the #IraqInvasion
70/. “We believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons" Cheney #OTD 20 years ago
Two years later, Bushs' intelligence briefer said this was a lie & that the intelligence related to Iraq’s supposed WMD program & Iraq's alleged links to Al Qaeda had been misrepresented👇 https://t.co/DAGa0VH07y
Two years later, Bushs' intelligence briefer said this was a lie & that the intelligence related to Iraq’s supposed WMD program & Iraq's alleged links to Al Qaeda had been misrepresented👇 https://t.co/DAGa0VH07y
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1623601899566993409
71/. Rather than admit that they almost certainly didn’t have a majority in the UNSC to pass a 2nd resolution, Blair & Bush seized on Chirac saying that France wouldn’t vote for war whilst UN weapons inspectors were still doing their work, as a reason the UN route failed
#IraqWar
#IraqWar
72/. #OTD 20 years ago, a youthful barrister wrote a piece headlined:
“Sorry Mr Blair, Resolution 1441 does not authorise force”
“Engaging in armed conflict [in #Iraq] in breach of intn’l law is a precarious business” he warned
His name was…Keir Starmer
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar
“Sorry Mr Blair, Resolution 1441 does not authorise force”
“Engaging in armed conflict [in #Iraq] in breach of intn’l law is a precarious business” he warned
His name was…Keir Starmer
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar
73/. #OTD 20 years ago, attorney general Lord Goldsmith, presented his advice on going to war without UN approval
It contained none of the caveats of his memo 10 days earlier: a memo withheld from the Cabinet
Instead it gave the impression that war would be unequivocally lawful
It contained none of the caveats of his memo 10 days earlier: a memo withheld from the Cabinet
Instead it gave the impression that war would be unequivocally lawful
74/. The Chilcot report found that the way the legal justification for war was formed was "far from satisfactory" & based on Blair's own assessment of Iraq's behaviour
Goldsmith relied on a one-paragraph memo from Blair himself when he issued his advice!
buzzfeed.com/jamesball/here…
Goldsmith relied on a one-paragraph memo from Blair himself when he issued his advice!
buzzfeed.com/jamesball/here…
75/. #OTD 20yrs ago, Kofi Annan told journalists
“If [military] action is to take place without the support of the council, its legitimacy will be questioned”
In 2004, he said the #IraqWar breached the UN Charter
“From our point of view it was illegal”
“If [military] action is to take place without the support of the council, its legitimacy will be questioned”
In 2004, he said the #IraqWar breached the UN Charter
“From our point of view it was illegal”
77/. #OTD 20yrs ago, for the 1st time since 9/11, the US Dept of Homeland Security raised the terror alert to orange (“high”)
Called Operation Liberty Shield, they deployed extra Border Patrol officers, & stepped up patrols at ports, airports & nuclear power plants
#IraqInvasion
Called Operation Liberty Shield, they deployed extra Border Patrol officers, & stepped up patrols at ports, airports & nuclear power plants
#IraqInvasion
78:, #OTD 20 years ago, the UN weapons inspection agency,
circulated its Draft Work Programme
The single most important document the inspectors had been tasked to draw up, the Programme would prove, as conclusively as possible, if Iraq possessed WMD
But Bush had other ideas…
circulated its Draft Work Programme
The single most important document the inspectors had been tasked to draw up, the Programme would prove, as conclusively as possible, if Iraq possessed WMD
But Bush had other ideas…
79/. The Draft Work Program was due to be approved by the UNSC on 19 March
Approval would have meant giving weapons inspectors a period of 'months' to complete their work
Instead Bush went on TV to issuing an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein – & ordering the inspectors out of Iraq
Approval would have meant giving weapons inspectors a period of 'months' to complete their work
Instead Bush went on TV to issuing an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein – & ordering the inspectors out of Iraq
80/. “Intelligence gathered by this & other govts leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess & conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised”
Bush, #OTD 20yrs ago
He gave Hussein & his sons 48hrs to leave Iraq
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar
Bush, #OTD 20yrs ago
He gave Hussein & his sons 48hrs to leave Iraq
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar
81/. #OTD 20 years ago, having failed to get support from the UNSC, the US, UK & Spain withdrew their draft resolution which stated failure to demonstrate “full, unconditional, immediate & active cooperation” with resolution 1441” would effectively authorise force
#IraqWar #Iraq
#IraqWar #Iraq
82/. #OTD 20yrs ago, Robin Cook’s resignation speech removed the excuse that the false pretext for war was the result of simple intelligence failures. It was possible to read the intelligence assessments & reach the correct conclusion: that Iraq had no WMD
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
83/. #OTD 20 years ago, MPs voted on this motion:
“Britain should use all means necessary to ensure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction"
The vote was passed with a majority of 179
A quarter of Labour MPs voted against the invasion
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar #Iraq
“Britain should use all means necessary to ensure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction"
The vote was passed with a majority of 179
A quarter of Labour MPs voted against the invasion
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar #Iraq
84/. The #IraqWar debate had gone on until 10pm but hundreds of demonstrators were outside Parliament, bringing traffic to a standstill in Parliament Sq
I was with protesters outside St Stephen’s Gate
As pro-war MPs filed out, they were greeted with a chorus
“Shame on you!”
I was with protesters outside St Stephen’s Gate
As pro-war MPs filed out, they were greeted with a chorus
“Shame on you!”
85/. #OTD 20 years ago, Iraq rejected the US ultimatum for Saddam Hussein & his sons to leave the country
The UN was obliged to pull its arms inspector out of the country
A massive military force was amassed around Iraqi borders
The stage was set for war
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar
The UN was obliged to pull its arms inspector out of the country
A massive military force was amassed around Iraqi borders
The stage was set for war
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar
These claims come from Clare Short who was in the Cabinet at the time
86/. “As the US prepares to attack Iraq, it is doing so on the basis of a number of allegations against Saddam Hussein that have been challenged - & in some cases disproved - by the UN, European govts & even US intel reports”
#OTD this @washingtonpost story was buried on page 13
#OTD this @washingtonpost story was buried on page 13
87/. #OTD “Operation Shock & Awe” began
The continuous bombing campaign involved around 1,700 air sorties (504 cruise missiles)
Over 7,000 Iraqi civilians were killed in the bombing
Many more lives would be lost…
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar #Iraq20YearsOn
The continuous bombing campaign involved around 1,700 air sorties (504 cruise missiles)
Over 7,000 Iraqi civilians were killed in the bombing
Many more lives would be lost…
#IraqInvasion #IraqWar #Iraq20YearsOn
88/. In WWI, 10% of all deaths were civilian
In WWII, that number rose to 50%
In the Vietnam War it was 70%
In the #IraqWar, civilians accounted for up to 90% of all deaths
A 2008 ORB poll found that over one million Iraqis had died as a result of the conflict
#Iraq20YearsOn
In WWII, that number rose to 50%
In the Vietnam War it was 70%
In the #IraqWar, civilians accounted for up to 90% of all deaths
A 2008 ORB poll found that over one million Iraqis had died as a result of the conflict
#Iraq20YearsOn
89/. Millions of Iraqis were displaced & cities reduced to rubble
Basic political institutions & social infrastructure was dismantled
The effects of the thousands of tons of munitions & fatal chemicals wrought ongoing human & environmental devastation in #Iraq.
#Iraq20YearsOn
Basic political institutions & social infrastructure was dismantled
The effects of the thousands of tons of munitions & fatal chemicals wrought ongoing human & environmental devastation in #Iraq.
#Iraq20YearsOn
90/. The 2004 battle for Fallujah saw much of the city razed to the ground & the rubble bulldozed to the banks of the Euphrates River, the city’s source of drinking water
The US military were forced to admit the use of white phosphorus on Iraqi civilians
#Iraq20YearsOn #IraqWar
The US military were forced to admit the use of white phosphorus on Iraqi civilians
#Iraq20YearsOn #IraqWar
91/. Fallujah saw an epidemic of birth defects due to depleted uranium
A report to the European Committee on Radiation Risk found Fallujah had “the highest rate of genetic damage in any population every studied”
Now the US Navy is naming a warship USS Fallujah
#Iraq20YearsOn
A report to the European Committee on Radiation Risk found Fallujah had “the highest rate of genetic damage in any population every studied”
Now the US Navy is naming a warship USS Fallujah
#Iraq20YearsOn
92/. Across Iraq, the extensive use of depleted uranium is thought to have led to the dramatic spike in cancer (particularly among children), brain tumors, infant mortality, & miscarriages
Hundreds of babies are now born with severe congenital deformities
#Iraq20YearsOn #IraqWar
Hundreds of babies are now born with severe congenital deformities
#Iraq20YearsOn #IraqWar
93/. Twenty years ago, Blair said:
“History will be my judge”
Now, as we mark #Iraq20YearsOn, we can judge for ourselves…& doesn’t look good, Tony
People in the US & UK might say “Not in my name”
But the reality is that it WAS done by our govts, in all of our names
#IraqWar
“History will be my judge”
Now, as we mark #Iraq20YearsOn, we can judge for ourselves…& doesn’t look good, Tony
People in the US & UK might say “Not in my name”
But the reality is that it WAS done by our govts, in all of our names
#IraqWar
94/. “The #IraqWar was illegal & immoral. We may have failed to stop the invasion, but by putting ourselves in harm’s way we sent a message to the world"
As the bombing began, Eric Levy - who died last year - was in a Baghdad power station: one of 80 Human Shields who’d stayed https://t.co/t2LCBpixFx
As the bombing began, Eric Levy - who died last year - was in a Baghdad power station: one of 80 Human Shields who’d stayed https://t.co/t2LCBpixFx
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1549851033190682624
95/. “Coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm” (Bush)
#OTD 20 years ago, Bush & Blair each went on television to address their respective nations & announce that US & UK forces had invaded #Iraq “from air, land & sea”
#Iraq20YearsOn #IraqWar
#OTD 20 years ago, Bush & Blair each went on television to address their respective nations & announce that US & UK forces had invaded #Iraq “from air, land & sea”
#Iraq20YearsOn #IraqWar
96/. #OTD 20 years ago, Elizabeth Wilmshurst, deputy chief legal adviser at the Foreign Office resigned, stating: “an unlawful use of force on such a scale amounts to the crime of aggression"
The govt removed a key passage of her resignation letter
#Iraq #Iraq20YearsOn #IraqWar
The govt removed a key passage of her resignation letter
#Iraq #Iraq20YearsOn #IraqWar
97/. In the 20yrs since the #IraqWar, not a single person responsible for it has been brought to justice
"Our legal, political & media institutions have made a mockery of the idea of accountability" says @AmirAmirani noting that many of the architects of the war “failed upwards”
"Our legal, political & media institutions have made a mockery of the idea of accountability" says @AmirAmirani noting that many of the architects of the war “failed upwards”
98/. “If it’s acceptable for leaders to take drastic action on the basis of a lie without an acknowledgement or an apology when they are found out, what should we teach our children?” (Tutu)
In 2021, Bush appeared on the @jimmykimmel show👇
Blair became Middle East peace envoy! https://t.co/efDK7hFBSh
In 2021, Bush appeared on the @jimmykimmel show👇
Blair became Middle East peace envoy! https://t.co/efDK7hFBSh
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1386404932895526918
99/. "There was no imminent threat…Military action at that time was not a last resort"
Although it sidestepped the question of the legality of the #IraqWar & made no explicit allegation of lying, deceit or manipulation, the 2016 Chilcot Inquiry was nevertheless v damning
#Iraq
Although it sidestepped the question of the legality of the #IraqWar & made no explicit allegation of lying, deceit or manipulation, the 2016 Chilcot Inquiry was nevertheless v damning
#Iraq
100/. The Chilcot Report also found that the #IraqWar had failed to achieve any of the govt’s “stated objectives”
There’s the crux!
The STATED OBJECTIVES of those who took us to war were never their REAL OBJECTIVES👇
#IraqWarIn100Tweets
The end!
#IraqWar #Iraq20YearsOn #Iraq https://t.co/9qsYOZ7x3P
There’s the crux!
The STATED OBJECTIVES of those who took us to war were never their REAL OBJECTIVES👇
#IraqWarIn100Tweets
The end!
#IraqWar #Iraq20YearsOn #Iraq https://t.co/9qsYOZ7x3P
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1426866183702261767
POSTSCRIPT
No one responsible for US war crimes committed in #Iraq has been held to account & yet, “ironically”, those who exposed these crimes have been targeted
@xychelsea spent 7yrs in jail
@snowden is in exile
Assange faces extradition to the US & a 175 year jail sentence https://t.co/cKSKvlY8ri
No one responsible for US war crimes committed in #Iraq has been held to account & yet, “ironically”, those who exposed these crimes have been targeted
@xychelsea spent 7yrs in jail
@snowden is in exile
Assange faces extradition to the US & a 175 year jail sentence https://t.co/cKSKvlY8ri
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1433177619030290438
POSTSCRIPT
In 2005, a group of us tried to hold Blair to account at the ballot box & get him unseated in his Sedgefield constituency
Reg Keys, whose son had been killed in Iraq, turning to face Blair is perhaps the closet thing we’ll get to accountability https://t.co/0xOzeol1Nn
In 2005, a group of us tried to hold Blair to account at the ballot box & get him unseated in his Sedgefield constituency
Reg Keys, whose son had been killed in Iraq, turning to face Blair is perhaps the closet thing we’ll get to accountability https://t.co/0xOzeol1Nn
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1638460760648192001
POSTSCRIPT
In 2011, outside the Chilcot Inquiry, Rev Bruce Kent told me:
“For Catholics, there are three steps for redemption: acknowledgement, firm purpose of amendment & penance”
The architects of the of the #IraqWar haven’t even taken that first step
aljazeera.com/opinions/2011/…
In 2011, outside the Chilcot Inquiry, Rev Bruce Kent told me:
“For Catholics, there are three steps for redemption: acknowledgement, firm purpose of amendment & penance”
The architects of the of the #IraqWar haven’t even taken that first step
aljazeera.com/opinions/2011/…
POSTSCRIPT
Inside the Chilcot Inquiry a protester interrupted Blair's testimony shouting:
“This man should be arrested for war crimes. JP Morgan paid him off for the Iraq war”
This week, it emerged that BP has pumped oil worth £15b in Iraq since the war https://t.co/ZBoSzBoR94
Inside the Chilcot Inquiry a protester interrupted Blair's testimony shouting:
“This man should be arrested for war crimes. JP Morgan paid him off for the Iraq war”
This week, it emerged that BP has pumped oil worth £15b in Iraq since the war https://t.co/ZBoSzBoR94
https://twitter.com/declassifiedUK/status/1638471416520605699
POSTSCRIPT
20 years ago, US troops rolled into Baghdad
Footage of Saddam’s statue being toppled went global but, in reality, it wasn’t a spontaneous act by the Iraqi people
Wide-angle photos show there was no big crowd there
#IraqWarIn100Tweets #IraqWar
https://t.co/ChabgpA00X https://t.co/8GmRKXBFStwired.com/2011/01/topple…
20 years ago, US troops rolled into Baghdad
Footage of Saddam’s statue being toppled went global but, in reality, it wasn’t a spontaneous act by the Iraqi people
Wide-angle photos show there was no big crowd there
#IraqWarIn100Tweets #IraqWar
https://t.co/ChabgpA00X https://t.co/8GmRKXBFStwired.com/2011/01/topple…
https://twitter.com/maassp/status/1645095323377754112
POSTSCRIPT:
“The time that was continues to tick inside the time that is” (Galeano)
The #IraqWar had knock on effects reshaping the world far beyond the Middle East & still felt today
It devastated millions of lives & shifted the course of many millions more, my own included https://t.co/FcGViCbNfI
“The time that was continues to tick inside the time that is” (Galeano)
The #IraqWar had knock on effects reshaping the world far beyond the Middle East & still felt today
It devastated millions of lives & shifted the course of many millions more, my own included https://t.co/FcGViCbNfI
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1568859534302609409
POSTSCRIPT:
“Why are you talking about this now?” you may ask
Because the truth matters
Justice & accountability can be sidestepped, but no history is mute
“No matter how much they own it, break it, & lie about it, human history refuses to shut its mouth”
#IraqWarIn100Tweets
“Why are you talking about this now?” you may ask
Because the truth matters
Justice & accountability can be sidestepped, but no history is mute
“No matter how much they own it, break it, & lie about it, human history refuses to shut its mouth”
#IraqWarIn100Tweets
POSTSCRIPT
On 1 May 2003, George Bush stood on an aircraft carrier off the coast of California & declared “mission accomplished”
On 23 May, Paul Bremer signed an order disbanding the Iraqi army, fuelling #Iraq’s violent insurgency & the rise of ISIS
#IraqWarIn100Tweets #IraqWar https://t.co/1yRtyCtQvE
On 1 May 2003, George Bush stood on an aircraft carrier off the coast of California & declared “mission accomplished”
On 23 May, Paul Bremer signed an order disbanding the Iraqi army, fuelling #Iraq’s violent insurgency & the rise of ISIS
#IraqWarIn100Tweets #IraqWar https://t.co/1yRtyCtQvE
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1648299920179314694
POSTSCRIPT:
#OTD 20 years ago, scientist Dr David Kelly was found dead a week after being outed by the govt as the source of the BBC story that the
govt had “sexed up" the intelligence it used to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq
#IraqWarIn100Tweets☝️
#OTD 20 years ago, scientist Dr David Kelly was found dead a week after being outed by the govt as the source of the BBC story that the
govt had “sexed up" the intelligence it used to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq
#IraqWarIn100Tweets☝️
POSTSCRIPT:
Declassified documents from 1998 - when the US & UK bombed Iraq - show Blair was consistently informed that military action was unlawful without UN authorisation
But he told parliament UK had “the proper legal authority”
#IraqWarIn100Tweets👇
https://t.co/UZRPNaliH6 https://t.co/oFZ8sbzHYNdeclassifieduk.org/blair-misled-p…
Declassified documents from 1998 - when the US & UK bombed Iraq - show Blair was consistently informed that military action was unlawful without UN authorisation
But he told parliament UK had “the proper legal authority”
#IraqWarIn100Tweets👇
https://t.co/UZRPNaliH6 https://t.co/oFZ8sbzHYNdeclassifieduk.org/blair-misled-p…
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1621839369081339905
POSTSCRIPT:
This #IraqWarIn100Tweets thread👆makes clear that the invasion of Iraq was was "illegal" rather than just "unlawful" since it breached intn'l law
Even Prescott & Perle admitted this
The claim that Blair "lied" to his cabinet was made by then minister, Clare Short https://t.co/NjI8Bx70IJ
This #IraqWarIn100Tweets thread👆makes clear that the invasion of Iraq was was "illegal" rather than just "unlawful" since it breached intn'l law
Even Prescott & Perle admitted this
The claim that Blair "lied" to his cabinet was made by then minister, Clare Short https://t.co/NjI8Bx70IJ
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1636686416129425408
POSTSCRIPT:
“If we’re wrong…that is something that I’m confident history will forgive"
#OTD 20 years ago, Blair told US Congress that he believes that history will forgive them if they were wrong about the fact that "terrorism & WMD will join together"
https://t.co/15lITUtRpr https://t.co/6NnruwOQUs
“If we’re wrong…that is something that I’m confident history will forgive"
#OTD 20 years ago, Blair told US Congress that he believes that history will forgive them if they were wrong about the fact that "terrorism & WMD will join together"
https://t.co/15lITUtRpr https://t.co/6NnruwOQUs
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1682064731744468992
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