You would gather from much of the media today that the National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's nuclear program somehow shows either 1) a Bush failure to understand what is going on in Iran, or 2) Bush's desire to mislead the public heretofore about the seriousness of Iran's nuclear plans.
All of this is bizarre. It is getting to the point that you can't trust a news account unless you do your own reading and research.
The NIE was sent to Bush to provide him information. (It is contrary, by the way, to earlier NIE reports.) Then the Administration released it. The only thing remarkable about this process is that someone in the spook world with an axe to grind didn't leak the report ahead of time.
Anyhow, the White House late today published a list of reactions from other countries and multi-lateral organizations that is far more representative of reality. Here they are:
"What They're Saying…"
International Response To The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) On Iran
Spokesperson For British Prime Minister Gordon Brown: The report "confirms we were right to be worried about Iran seeking to develop nuclear weapons (and) shows that the sanctions program and international pressure were having an effect in that they seem to have abandoned the weaponisation element." "It also shows the intent is there and the risk of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon remains a very serious issue." (Zahra Hosseinian, "France And UK Urge Pressure On Iran Despite U.S. Report," Reuters, 12/4/07; "Bush Says Iran A 'Danger' Despite Intelligence Report," Agence France-Presse, 12/4/07)
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier: "The NIE report confirmed 'the double approach chosen by the international community of incentives and measures from the United Nations Security Council was right,' German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement released Monday, Nov. 3." ("EU To Keep Up Pressure On Iran After US Report," Deutsche Welle [Germany], 12/4/07)
French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pascale Andreani: "It appears that Iran is not respecting its international obligations. … We must keep up the pressure on Iran ... we will continue to work on the introduction of restrictive measures in the framework of the United Nations." (Zahra Hosseinian, "Bush, Allies Urge Pressure On Iran Despite U.S. Report," Reuters, 12/4/07)
Russian President Vladimir Putin: "Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday told Iran's top nuclear negotiator that the country's nuclear program should be transparent and remain under control of the International Atomic Energy Agency. 'We welcome the extension of your cooperation with the IAEA. We expect that your programs in the nuclear sphere will be open, transparent and be conducted under control of the authoritative international organization,' Putin said at the start of a meeting with Saeed Jalili at the presidential residence on Moscow's outskirts." (Vladimir Isachenkov, "Putin Tells Iran To Keep Nuclear Program Under IAEA Control," The Associated Press, 12/4/07)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert: "It is vital to pursue efforts to prevent Iran from developing a capability like this and we will continue doing so along with our friends the United States." (Zahra Hosseinian, "Bush Allies Urge Pressure On Iran Despite U.S. Report," Reuters, 12/4/07)
Spokesperson For EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, Cristina Gallach: "Solana's spokeswoman, Cristina Gallach, said the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) report 'proves that transparency about (Iran's) nuclear activities and its intentions are fundamental.'" ("EU To Keep Up Pressure On Iran After US Report," Deutsche Welle [Germany], 12/4/07)