[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY REQUESTING THE RELEASE OF UNCLASSIFIED VERSIONS 
       OF THE APRIL 2006 NIE AND OTHER IRAQ INTELLIGENCE REPORTS

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                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, the media reported that 
American intelligence agencies completed a National Intelligence 
Estimate, NIE, finding that the Iraq war has increased the danger of 
terrorism against the United States. This is significant because the 
NIE represents the consensus judgment of the entire United States 
intelligence community and is approved by John D. Negroponte, the 
Director of National Intelligence. According to portions of the NIE 
declassified by the President, the intelligence agencies conclude that 
Islamic radicalism ``has metastasized and spread across the globe.'' 
This conclusion raises considerable questions about President Bush's 
public statements that the war in Iraq has made us safer. Even though 
President Bush declassified about four pages of the 30-page NIE, the 
American people are entitled to the full story, not just pieces the 
President may selectively reveal.
  Media accounts further indicate that the Administration has an 
additional classified intelligence community report that gives a grim 
assessment of the situation in Iraq. Some have expressed concern that 
release of this second NIE is being slowed by the Administration to 
avoid discussion before the November elections. If the intelligence 
estimate is finished, it should not be hidden from the American people.
  In order to inform the public more fully regarding the impact of the 
occupation in Iraq on terrorism, I along with 45 of my colleagues am 
introducing a Resolution of Inquiry that would call for the immediate 
release of the full unclassified versions of both the April NIE as well 
as any other pending report on Iraq. While President Bush has released 
a small part of the April 2006 NIE, it is important that all 
unclassified materials on these matters be released.
  The American people deserve to know the whole truth about the impact 
of the war in Iraq on the global war on terrorism. If what has been 
reported is correct, these Intelligence Estimates indicate that the 
Iraq war is part and parcel of this administration's failed national 
security record, and has made us less safe from terrorist attacks.

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