Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Bush to Israel: NIE Was Wrong

Prez privately telling Israel he doesn't believe Iran has shut down nukes

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 15, 2008 3:15 PM CST

(Newser) – President Bush is privately assuring Israel’s leaders that he doesn’t believe the National Intelligence Estimate's conclusion that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003. In disavowing December's NIE, Bush said the “conclusions don't reflect his own views,” a US official told Newsweek. The private pledge may help quell calls in Israel’s defense community for military strikes.

Olmert was “very happy” with Bush’s reassurances, even as national security adviser Stephen Hadley said the president was only repeating that he still considered Iran “a threat" and was not disavowing the NIE. The anonymous official also said Bush seemed almost apologetic when first telling Olmert about the intelligence estimate, about a week before it was made public.

President Bush waves as he boards Air Force One before leaving for Kuwait following an official departure ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel,  Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. U.S. President George W. Bush said Friday that he would return to the Mideast in May to continue...
President Bush waves as he boards Air Force One before leaving for Kuwait following an official departure ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. U.S....   (Associated Press)
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, left, shakes hands with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili at the start of their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, left, shakes hands with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili at the start of their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Jan. 12,...   (Associated Press)
US President George W. Bush, center, walks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, and Israeli President Shimon Peres, left, during departure ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport, Friday, Jan. 11, 2008,  in Tel Avivl. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
US President George W. Bush, center, walks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, and Israeli President Shimon Peres, left, during departure ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport, Friday,...   (Associated Press)
President Bush stands with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before boarding Air Force One as he leaves for Kuwait following an official departure ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel,  Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. U.S. President George W. Bush said Friday that he would return to...
President Bush stands with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before boarding Air Force One as he leaves for Kuwait following an official departure ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Madonna Fans in Israel: Don't Bomb Iran Before Show

Israel, Iran Terrorists Are Killing Scientists: Officials

Obama: Israel Not Sure About Bombing Iran

Israel Warns Jewish Targets Around World of Iran Threat

US Fears Israel Will Hit Iran Without Warning


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne