Iraq survey group ignores Scarlett's WMD 'nuggets'
Official confirms MI6 head emailed suggestions for final report
Julian Borger in Washington
Thursday August 5, 2004
The Guardian
The US official leading the search for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction has confirmed that the new head of M16, John Scarlett, sent him suggestions of what to include in his final report.
Charles Duelfer, the head of the Iraq survey group (ISG), described Mr Scarlett's email as a reminder of investigations carried out by the group before Mr Duelfer took over its leadership in January. He said he did not view the note as inappropriate, but had decided not to include any of its contents.
"What they
provided was not new information but elements of a previous report, which I decided were not relevant," Mr Duelfer said.
He said he rejected allegations that "the Brits were trying to foist some views on me".
"Whoever has something relevant to say, I'm ready to listen to ... I meet with people all the time. But if someone tries to steer me in one direction I tend to go the opposite direction."
Mr Duelfer said he would deliver a comprehensive report on the search for weapons of mass destruction by the end of September.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1276121,00.html