Wolfowitz: Sorry for comments about reporters in Iraq

[Kadie]

Wolfowitz: Sorry for comments about reporters in Iraq

The Associated Press
Last Updated: June 24, 2004, 05:41:30 PM PDT


WASHINGTON (AP) - Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz issued an unusual apology Thursday to war correspondents in Iraq after saying they reported rumors because they were too afraid to leave their Baghdad hotels.
In a letter provided by a Pentagon spokesman, Wolfowitz wrote: "Just let me say to each of you who have worked so hard and taken such risks to cover this story, I extend a heartfelt apology and hope you will accept it.

"I understand well the enormous dangers that you face, and want to restate my admiration for your professionalism, dedication, and, yes, courage."

On Tuesday, in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Wolfowitz agreed with statements by Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., that the news media's focus on violence in Iraq has eclipsed reports of progress there.

"Because frankly, part of our problem is a lot of the press are afraid to travel very much, so they sit in Baghdad and they publish rumors. And rumors are plentiful," Wolfowitz said.

more... http://www.modbee.com/24hour/politics/story/1456839p-8844364c.html

[swag]

1. How many more times can he mush around the turd that he is? n/t

[Rose Siding]

2. It's a cinch he has no idea how many reporters have been killed

He didn't even know how many troops we'd lost.

[shraby]

3. He's lucky he knows his name.

[DBtv]

10. He knows exactly how many reporters he ordered killed.

We took out al Jazeera in Baghdad with a missile attack.

[leesa]

12. Oh, I think they are well aware of the number of reporters killed

Those damn precision bombs! Keep taking out the press. How will they EVER get the truth to the American people??

[pinto]

4. Wolfowitz, how about your plan to create an American Bloc in the MidEast?

and the lives it has cost? just asking here on DU....

[FredScuttle]

5. "and, yes, courage"???

:wtf:

As our honorable Vice-President says, go fuck yourself, you insincere prick

[pinniped]

6. That POS wouldn't make it 2 minutes on the streets of Baghdad without...

bodyguards. Same goes double for that viceroy asshole.

[nodehopper]

13. I have a question about the picture in your post

This is sort of random, but I am curious why it's Omen III--was that the Omen movie that was subtitled the Final Conflict?

[Fenris]

17. Indeed it was. The premise was that Damien

Grew up, was a wealthy industrialist, and ran for President!

[nodehopper]

21. OMG, I have to see it!

[tom_paine]

31. Yep. The writers of fthat movie were Modern Nostradami

Though I'm sure they didn't know it at the time.

Who did?

[nodehopper]

32. ha! love that graphic too.

[pinniped]

18. Ya that's the one.

Evil stands before the presidential seal in both instances.

[nodehopper]

22. Ah, I see, thanks!

[BrotherBuzz]

7. Hey Wolfowitz, Baghdad hotels are dangerous

Remember your October visit when you shat in your pants after they blew up your hotel?

[BrotherBuzz]

8. Wow, my first duplicate post

Sorry.

[gatlingforme]

9. I wonder who told him it's not good PR to piss off the media?

[Fridays Child]

11. 31 journalists have died in Iraq since March 2003, including 21...

...since B*sh's flightsuit photo op. I read this somewhere, today, but I can't remember where. I may be off on the numbers but only by one or two.

[leesa]

14. And many by "friendly fire", no?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

23. I think that number is a little high, and here is the link you want

looks like 27
http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2004/iraq_journ_5_04/iraq_journ_5_04.html

or just in 2004

http://www.cpj.org/killed/killed04.html

[Media_Lies_Daily]

15. Of all people, Campbell Brown backed Wolfy into a corner while...

...she was subbing yesterday for Matthews on Hardball.

She really looked pissed when she told Wolfy that what he had said about reporters in Iraq was not true and described her own ten-day stay in Baghdad.

[Swamp Rat]

16. He's not sorry at all

This is a typical tactic the NeoCons use - blame then apologise.

[struggle4progress]

19. Reporters should feel free to take a hard look at Wolfie. eom

[2cents]

20. lol, What did Rummy threaten Wolfie with...

to make him apologize? And did it involve hoods and electrodes?

[DeepModem Mom]

24. Someone have info from thread about Christiane Amanpour...

speaking out on air in response to Wolfowitz?

[Manix]

25. ....fuckin' war criminal..lock him up and through away the key.

[lumpy]

26. Wolfowitz is an oily little bastard

who has been allowed to influence and direct US foreign policy. The SOB is a coward who has led us down the path taken by Israel's IDF.

[calimary]

27. Holy mother of pearl - these guys are blowing it all over the place.

cheney swears at Patrick Leahy. wolfowitz insults war correspondents. Like he's ever stuck his OWN neck out any farther than his own pathetic little turtle shell! He is grotesque.

[joeunderdog]

34. Didn't he poop his pants when they lobbed a few shells his way?

He jumped into the nearest guy's arms and started sucking his thumb when they bombed his hotel in Iraq. That was the last time he visited. Maybe he should go the front lines and show 'em how it's done.

Another smart move...pissing off the press. That should win you some flattery in print.

[mainer]

28. Anyone see "The Daily Show"'s response to that?

"They're afraid to leave their Baghdad hotels? Ummm... well, why IS that, Mr. Secretary?!!"

[leftchick]

29. CNN's Christiane Amanpour handled the crack like a champ....

Leslie Blitzer asked her how she felt about wolfowitz's comment. She was wonderful, she said they all risked their lives daily for their stories and ended by saying... "I can only imagine the sort of stress he is under to say such a thing."

Go Christiane!!....

[tom_paine]

30. No he isn't. LIAR!

These Totalitarians do love their lies, don't they?

[yellowcanine]

33. There was a devastating piece in the WP "In the Loop" column on this today

I think the author is Al Kamen. Really nailed Wolfie - talked about a WP reporter whose car came under fire in Iraq and said that the car was hit with over 200 "rumors". Then he contrasted that with Wolfie flying with helicopter escorts from one secure base to the next when HE was in Iraq and not suffering any "rumor" attacks. It was great.

[leesa]

35. So not a good idea to bash the war reporters. They might be tempted

to print the truth.

[ItsThePeopleStupid]

36. damning with faint praise.

Wolfowitz is sorry reporters are too afraid to get out of their hotels and do some actual reporting, because if they did they would see all the progress in Iraq.

Riiight.