MSM WANT TO DISCREDIT IRAQI DOCUMENTS THAT ARE BEING RELEASED

DISCLAIM THIS

By Michelle Malkin ·

So, the MSM is slowly picking up on the historic release of thousands of documents from Saddam Hussein's archives. But not without making a concerted effort to downplay and undermine the story. Readers are calling attention to the disclaimers included in this ABC News story. (Hat tip: Michael, Daniel, Lynne, and Coin.) Example:

"Osama bin Laden and the Taliban"

Document dated Sept. 15, 2001

An Iraqi intelligence service document saying that their Afghani informant, who's only identified by a number, told them that the Afghani Consul Ahmed Dahastani claimed the following in front of him:

That OBL and the Taliban are in contact with Iraq and that a group of Taliban and bin Laden group members visited Iraq.
That the U.S. has proof the Iraqi government and "bin Laden's group" agreed to cooperate to attack targets inside America.
That in case the Taliban and bin Laden's group turn out to be involved in "these destructive operations," the U.S. may strike Iraq and Afghanistan.
That the Afghani consul heard about the issue of Iraq's relationship with "bin Laden's group" while he was in Iran.

At the end, the writer recommends informing "the committee of intentions" about the above-mentioned items. The signature on the document is unclear.

(Editor's Note: The controversial claim that Osama bin Laden was cooperating with Saddam Hussein is an ongoing matter of intense debate. While the assertions contained in this document clearly support the claim, the sourcing is questionable -- i.e. an unnamed Afghan "informant" reporting on a conversation with another Afghan "consul." The date of the document -- four days after 9/11 -- is worth noting but without further corroboration, this document is of limited evidentiary value.)

Will we see that helpful disclaimer--"this document is of limited evidentiary value"--the next time ABC News or Newsweek or the NYTimes or the Washington Post uses unnamed, uncorroborated informants?

Hmm?

Reader Craig L.:

Ya gotta wonder if such a careful regard for authentication and "evidentiary value" would be present if this were a document damaging to Dubya or his administration.

We certainly know CBS's standards.

Yup.

Bob Owens weighs in with a reminder about the Downing Street Memos.

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Meanwhile, the blogosphere's Army of Translators--mother of all hat tips to Glenn Reynolds--is busy with Project Docex.

IraqtheModel has another translation. (Hat tip: Roger L. Simon)

Stay tuned to Pajamas Media:

Let the Pajamas folks know if you have posted translations/analysis of any of the Docex docs. Lots of work to do.

HERE ARE CAPTURED DOCUMENTS THAT SHOW BIN LADEN WAS IN WITH IRAQ

AN ARMY OF TRANSLATORS NEEDED

By Michelle Malkin

***scroll for updates...translations coming in***

If you read nothing else today, make sure to go to this site.

There will be a press conference about the documents today at 1:30pm EST:

TODAY, Thursday, March 16, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, and Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, will comment on the release of Iraqi documents, including photos and tapes, that today have been made publicly accessible to the world. Senator Santorum and Congressman Hoekstra have worked aggressively to get the trove of documents seized from the Saddam Hussein and Taliban regimes released so the world can see for itself what those regimes stood for. Both congressional leaders believe that these documents are not only of historical significance but can help remind the world that we are fighting a global war on terror. Senator Santorum and Congressman Hoekstra both offered legislation requiring the release of the captured documents and photos. These documents come from a collection of some 2 million exploitable items captured in post-war Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States has had these documents for four years. They have not been publicly available during this time.

How about an Army of Davids to translate and process the info?

Debate at RedState.

Flashback: AJStrata - Unleash the blogosphere

Flashback: Pajamas Media documentarian Andrew Marcus interviews Rep. Hoekstra Feb. 16 about the docs: "They ought to be put on the Internet...unleash the power of the 'net on these 55,000 boxes of documents to see exactly what went on...Let the blogosphere go!"

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No translation needed for this photo found in the document trove (hat tip: Bluto):

Hint.

And an Army of Freepers has started to dig through the docs. Jveritas provides a translation of a document linking Iraq and Osama bin Laden CMPC-2003-001488 (hat tip: Jawa Report):

In the Name of God the Merciful

Presidency of the Republic

Intelligence Apparatus

To the respectful Mr. M.A.M

Subject: Information

Our source in Afghanistan No 11002 (for information about him see attachment 1) provided us with information that that Afghani Consul Ahmad Dahestani (for information about him see attachment 2) told him the following:

1. That Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban in Afghanistan are in contact with Iraq and it that previously a group from Taliban and Osama Bin Laden group visited Iraq.

2. That America has proof that the government of Iraq and Osama Bin Laden group have shown cooperation to hit target within America.

3. That in case it is proven the involvement of Osama Bin Laden group and the Taliban in these destructive operations it is possible that American will conduct strikes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

4. That the Afghani Consul heard about the subject of Iraq relation with Osama Bin Laden group during his stay in Iran.

5. In light of this we suggest to write to the Commission of the above information.

Please view… Yours… With regards

Signature:……, Initials : A.M.M, 15/9/2001

Foot note: Immediately send to the Chairman of Commission

Signature:………….

John Hinderaker starts digging into the new document trove here.

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Background:

Steve Hayes, who got the ball rolling here.

Michael Barone, Why Do Democrats Fear the Al-Qaida/Saddam Relationship?

Power Line, here, here, and here.

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