Curveballed
When all is said and done, it will probably be impossible to know just how many Iraqis will have perished during the war. There are estimates that widely vary, ones that I am sure many of you are already familiar with, so I won’t waste time running through them. But the truth of the matter is that Iraqi deaths have been overwhelmingly significant, as has been the displacement of Iraqis, be it within Iraq itself or as refuges in other countries – the number being in the millions.
Despite a recent drop in deaths, the US death toll in Iraq this year is only three shy of 2004’s total, 850, the war’s worst year. The number of deaths is largely due to US troops operating within Iraqi communities and thus being far easier to attack, unlike previous years when deaths were largely caused during concentrated operations.
I wanted to use these realizations as preface, because if you didn’t happen to catch 60 Minutes the other night, and their report on Curveball, the Iraqi source that supplied intelligence to the Americans through the Germans prior to the 2003 invasion regarding Iraqi’s chemical and biological capabilities, then those numbers should be foremost in your mind as you read the rest of this entry.
If you have studied pre-war intelligence, then you know that the information provided by Rafid Ahmed Alwan, known as Curveball, was entirely baseless. In fact, the information that he provided the Germans, that was subsequently passed to the CIA, and which would ultimately be included in then Secretary of State Colin Powell’s report to the United Nations, was actually discounted prior to the invasion by the UN. But no one was in the mood to listen at the time…
“Prominently displayed were models of the mobile trucks Curve Ball had sketched to the Germans. The most damning evidence in the speech had come from a source no American had interviewed. Just three days later, U.N. inspectors in Iraq visited a suspected WMD location — Djerf al Nadaf, Curve Ball’s secret site. And what did they find there? A wall — the very wall that had appeared on the overhead imagery back in 2001. Curve Ball had claimed the mobile bio-weapons trucks entered through doors at one end of a warehouse.
“When the inspectors examined the facility, they found that this was an impossibility,” explains Jim Corcoran, whose job it was to relay intelligence to the inspectors in Iraq.
Corcoran learned the wall blocked any entrance to the warehouse. As for Curve Ball’s hidden doors at the other end that would allow the trucks to exit?
“Again, there was a wall there, no doors. And outside there was a stone fence that would have made it impossible for this to have occurred,” Corcoran says.
Corcoran knew Djerf al Nadaf was of great importance, so he sent inspectors back 20 days later to take samples, to see if any traces of biological agents were there. “They proved negative,” Corcoran tells Simon. “There was nothing there.”
But the inspectors’ findings in Iraq made no impact; the war began three weeks later.”
Countless Iraqi dead, over 4,000 American lives lost, and a region thrust into chaos with the United States now targeting Iran and having to walk on egg shells to try and placate the Turks who have threatened to invade Northern Iraq to confront the PKK – and that’s not even beginning to cover the damage caused within Iraq itself since 2003.
Thus, one has to ask – why was a source relied upon that had never even been interviewed by US intelligence? Why did those at the highest levels of the US intelligence community accept that information on blind faith? And why were the UN’s findings ignored?
I have written in the past about the politicization of the CIA post 9/11, just as I have written about the fact that it is common knowledge that, immediately following the 9/11 attacks, the Pentagon focused a great deal of its energies on ‘the Iraq factor’. Soon after, the CIA would also be dragged into that sphere, something that caused a great deal of confusion and strife within the ranks of its senior field personnel. And yet, despite the fact that no evidence of a connection would ever be found, that lemon was sold to the American people, who, in turn, backed the government’s lust for war.
As it stands now, despite such truths, many Americans still actually labour under the misconception that the regime of Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11. How many, do you think, will ever address the realities regarding Curveball and the fact that the lies of a single con artist were used as one of the primary justifications for war?
“As for the biological accident that supposedly killed 12 people at Djerf al Nadaf in 1998? It never happened. Rafid Alwan wasn’t even in Iraq when he said it happened. He had left the country, first traveling to Jordan, then Egypt, then Libya, before making his way to Morocco. From there, Alwan’s trail ran cold, until he showed up in Germany and became Curve Ball. The case finally ended in Munich in March 2004, when the Germans allowed a CIA officer to interrogate Curve Ball.
“And the key thing, I think, was the wall. He showed him pictures of the wall,” Drumheller remembers.
What did Curve Ball say?
“‘You doctored these pictures.’ And he said, ‘No, we didn’t.’ He said, we didn’t doctor them,” Drumheller says.
The wall had been built in 1997. Curve Ball didn’t know it existed because he had already left Djerf al Nadaf.
“Curve Ball was caught,” Simon remarks.
“And Curve Ball said, ‘I don’t think I’m gonna say anything else,’” Drumheller says.
The CIA finally acknowledged Curve Ball was a fraud. But why did he do it?
Former CIA insider Tyler Drumheller has an idea. “It was a guy trying to get his Green Card, essentially, in Germany, playing the system for what it was worth. It just shows sort of the law of unintended consequences,” he says.
Rafid Alwan got what he wanted. He is thought to be living in Germany today, most likely under a new name, after pulling off one of the deadliest con jobs of our time.”
Ultimately, who should be held responsible? Obviously Rafid Alwan is somewhat responsible, but only to the extent that he was a convenient liar. In life we have the ability to ponder and examine what is presented us, which means that those that chose to act on his information without first employing due diligence, or even bothering to listen to those that had, are the ones truly responsible. Be it at the Pentagon, the CIA, or in the Oval Office – responsibility rests with those that the people of the United States placed their faith in to properly do their jobs, not conveniently employ false information to help bolster a radical and unprecedented foreign policy doctrine.
In the end, that is precisely what occurred. And both Iraqis and Americans have paid the price for it with their lives. Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney, and a host of others have not, nor will they ever, face justice for their crimes. That being the case, it’s time to start asking serious questions, such as – who is really in control of government, and what role does the citizenry really play anymore beyond that of lemmings that check boxes on a ballot after being inundated by an ever increasing politically bias media?
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November 5th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Unbelievable is how I have to start this. It is amazing how the US government could be so moronic. I just recently viewed a movie called ” Shake hands with the devil” regarding the atrocities that happened in Rwanda and how the US government felt it was not worthy of them to interfere in what we know now as a Genocide in that country. In fact they were all to eager to take their flag down off the embassy flag pole and hightail out of town with their tail between their legs. The same is happening in Sudan where the same type of massacre is happening and once again no US involvement. I guess if it doesn’t involve oil not worth sending the help that is needed and also that they could provide as the so called super power? Just my humble opinion and maybe somewhat simplistic but oh well.
On another note Matthew cannot wait until I have the chance to see you in Grande Prairie. I had seen your show in Red Deer and the GPRC, where the show is being held, is far superior to Red Deer. Look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Safe travels my friend.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
UNBELIEVABLE..
I wonder how they can lay their heads to rest at night??
How can anyone knowing this information possibly support our government now?
Hell with support.. how can anyone trust the government? The saddest thing is … there are still going to be those that will defend the idiots in charge of our country and make excuses for them…
Unvalidated facts were used to start this war that has taken the lives of so many men, woman and children… irresponsible..inexcusable.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Just to touch on the topic that Americans believe 9/11 was connected some way to Iraq. A friend and I were buying some booze, strangely talking about Afganistan while we waited in line. Nothing too political, just mentioning how some of the men and women of 19 Wing Comox are there. An American couple behind us happened to overhear and commented on [Canada's] involvement in ‘the war,’ emphasize on ‘the.’ I had a suspicion that she meant something different than Canada’s place in Afganistan so I asked, the war in Iraq or our deployment in Afganistan?
Quite assured, she remarks that they started at the same time. To which I reply Iraq wasn’t invaded for quite some time after the West went to the Middle East. With a puzzled look and an expression as if I was very sadly misinformed, corrects me with, “No, I mean they are all part of the same mission after 9/11 happened.”
I couldn’t help but look at her with disbelief. My friend, who is far less tolerant of this stuff than me, scoffs and turns away not knowing what to say. “Well, you might get different news, but” she adds, not a word of a lie, “the reporting on the war where we live is quite extensive.”
I won’t go on from what happened after that, but no one got hurt. To think there is ignorance to that extreme is absolutely mind-boggling.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
It is. But it’ll pass. Christmas is coming and people need to start shopping. Curveball? Isn’t that a pitch in baseball? Hey the Red Sox won the series again. Exit.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Spread it around:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV49ac96ijo
November 5th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
If there were enough people in the US concerned enough about how Rafid Alwan’s story was swallowed by the CIA, and it was beleived that a clear lack of due diligence by the CIA lead to the action in Iraq, how would action be taken to investigate and subsequently charge those responsible? How do you get them into court and expose them so that everyone can see the magnitude of their actions, and understand their true motivation for starting the war.
I mean, what would the process be? Who (or what department) would have to start the investigation? What kind of pressure could be brought to bear so that those resposible for at least starting an investigation would act?
I must admit I’m ignorant about how this would work. Who can explain the legal process?
Those responsible for the deaths of all those people, both American and Iraqis should be identified and charged.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
It always passes.. there are always more important things to be concerned with..
Should I wash my hair tonight???
November 5th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
The only saving grace is that exactly a year from tomorrow, we will be electing a new president, and hopefully one that will do something about this terrible situation. Of course it won’t be anything immediate because the entire government is and will still be backwards, but it’s better than having Bush run it.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
…He is thought to be living in Germany today, most likely under a new name, Mr. Last Laugh
November 5th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Curveball gets his green card, and America gets its war. Everybody wins. Except the people, who always seem to lose.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I understand - House Resolution 333. The process is already underway, but it doesn’t look like it has much of a chance
November 5th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Never mind the fact that he (curve ball) was proven to be a drunk and dellusional lunatic…
November 5th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
[quote comment="32113"]Unbelievable is how I have to start this. It is amazing how the US government could be so moronic. I just recently viewed a movie called ” Shake hands with the devil” regarding the atrocities that happened in Rwanda and how the US government felt it was not worthy of them to interfere in what we know now as a Genocide in that country. In fact they were all to eager to take their flag down off the embassy flag pole and hightail out of town with their tail between their legs. The same is happening in Sudan where the same type of massacre is happening and once again no US involvement. I guess if it doesn’t involve oil not worth sending the help that is needed and also that they could provide as the so called super power? Just my humble opinion and maybe somewhat simplistic but oh well.[/quote]
I find it remarkable that you condemn the US for invading Iraq and Afghanistan and at the same time for NOT invading Rwanda (or Sudan, or Zimbabwe, or North Korea, the list goes on). In each case there can be made an argument for intervention on humanitarian grounds. The irony is not lost on me…
November 6th, 2007 at 12:15 am
What happened in Rwanda could have been solved by giving the UNAMIR the support it needed. It was not given the support it needed and thus had to watch it happen. The security council was a part of that decision. After all, at the time, white people were dying in the Balkans.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:14 am
[quote comment="32160"][quote comment="32113"]Unbelievable is how I have to start this. It is amazing how the US government could be so moronic. I just recently viewed a movie called ” Shake hands with the devil” regarding the atrocities that happened in Rwanda and how the US government felt it was not worthy of them to interfere in what we know now as a Genocide in that country. In fact they were all to eager to take their flag down off the embassy flag pole and hightail out of town with their tail between their legs. The same is happening in Sudan where the same type of massacre is happening and once again no US involvement. I guess if it doesn’t involve oil not worth sending the help that is needed and also that they could provide as the so called super power? Just my humble opinion and maybe somewhat simplistic but oh well.[/quote]
I find it remarkable that you condemn the US for invading Iraq and Afghanistan and at the same time for NOT invading Rwanda (or Sudan, or Zimbabwe, or North Korea, the list goes on). In each case there can be made an argument for intervention on humanitarian grounds. The irony is not lost on me…[/quote]
I cannot believe that you can compare invading specifically Iraq in the same breath as Rwanda etc. Do you believe with all the untruths that have evolved from the invasion of Iraq, that it can possibly compare to what is happening in these other countries specifically Rwanda and Sudan? I thought I had the simplistic view regarding these matters but it is apparent that is not the case. Who is speaking of invading Rwanda when Matthew is accurate in stating that all UNIMAR was asking for was for some support. It is certainly true that there can be a case made for an argument for intervention on humanitarian grounds in all cases, but it seems to me that the INVASION of Iraq right from the outset was a “LIE” and something different altogether. Do you not think the misconceptions regarding the initial invasion into Iraq breeds serious doubts in the US involvement in the first place not to mention the facts and information that continues to surface? Once again my opinion………………
November 6th, 2007 at 8:57 am
In addition to deaths, there will be countless mental health problems both for Iraqis and soldiers returning home. Another generation like those in Vietnam who can’t function in the world any longer and are left to wonder the streets, discarded from society. Iraqis will suffer PTSD, depression, maybe for the rest of their lives, causing worry and stress for their families and the next generation. Leishmaniasis is popping up now in the U.S. and doctors here can barely treat it. My cousin had to get permission from the CDC to begin treatment and it’s been a couple years and it’s still not cured. The ramifications of everything that has happened will ripple for decades.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
[quote comment="32183"]What happened in Rwanda could have been solved by giving the UNAMIR the support it needed. It was not given the support it needed and thus had to watch it happen. The security council was a part of that decision. After all, at the time, white people were dying in the Balkans.[/quote]
This comment is more of an indictment on the UN and the Security Council (I am in agreement here). However, I am concerned that the implication is that the US (specifically) ought to have acted unilaterally and not multilaterally. Again, a favourite criticism of the invasion of Iraq. You can’t have it both ways.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
[quote comment="32198"]I cannot believe that you can compare invading specifically Iraq in the same breath as Rwanda etc. Do you believe with all the untruths that have evolved from the invasion of Iraq, that it can possibly compare to what is happening in these other countries specifically Rwanda and Sudan? I thought I had the simplistic view regarding these matters but it is apparent that is not the case. Who is speaking of invading Rwanda when Matthew is accurate in stating that all UNIMAR was asking for was for some support. It is certainly true that there can be a case made for an argument for intervention on humanitarian grounds in all cases, but it seems to me that the INVASION of Iraq right from the outset was a “LIE” and something different altogether. Do you not think the misconceptions regarding the initial invasion into Iraq breeds serious doubts in the US involvement in the first place not to mention the facts and information that continues to surface? Once again my opinion………………[/quote]
I am unsure to what “untruths” you are referring regarding the invasion of Iraq. And I do believe that a comparison can be made between the genocide in Rwanda and the Sudan when one takes into account the plight of the Kurdish people under Saddam’s regime.
The only way to have aided Rwanda was with military intervention; the French stopped the the RPF march on Kigali through the use of their military in the early 90’s. It is an option. Not only that, what is the “support” for UNIMAR if it is not military (at least initially) in nature?
And hind sight is 20/20. I believed (and still do despite the mess that has been made) that the invasion of Iraq was the correct course of action. It should have been completed in the first Gulf War. It is in a terrible state now and you’re right, the US and Bush government are wholly to blame for blowing it. This is an instant where the UN should have played a bigger role but, as is always the case with the UN, no one could agree on an appropriate course of action.