Colin Powell in four-letter neo-con 'crazies' row

From the London Guardian courtesy of J. Orlin Grabbe:

A furious row has broken out over claims in a new book by BBC broadcaster James Naughtie that US Secretary of State Colin Powell described neo-conservatives in the Bush administration as 'fucking crazies' during the build-up to war in Iraq.

Powell's extraordinary outburst is alleged to have taken place during a telephone conversation with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. The two became close friends during the intense negotiations in the summer of 2002 to build an international coalition for intervention via the United Nations. The 'crazies' are said to be Vice-President Dick Cheney, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz.

Last week, the offices of Powell and Straw contacted Public Affairs, the US publishers of Naughtie's book, to say they would vigorously deny the claims if publication went ahead. But as no legal action was threatened, the US launch of the book, The Accidental American: Tony Blair and the Presidency, will proceed as planned this week.

Click here for the rest.

Well, this is nice to know and all--I mean, it reinforces Powell's image as the good guy of the Bush administration. (Of course, I say that with a grain of salt; after all, Powell helped cover up the My Lai massacre in Vietnam, which means he can't be that much of a good guy). The real question invoked by this information is why Powell didn't do everything he could to stop the "fucking crazies" from carrying out their bizarre plans which have gotten a thousand American soldiers killed. It must suck to be him.

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