Joseph Wilson - US - Iraq War - ProCon.org

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US - IRAQ WAR

Joseph Wilson Biography
Title:	Former US Ambassador
Position:	Con to the question "Should the US Have Attacked Iraq?"
Reasoning:	"Based on my experience with the administration in the months leading up to the war, I have little choice but to conclude that some of the intelligence related to Iraq's nuclear weapons program was twisted to exaggerate the Iraqi threat... The question now is how that answer was or was not used by our political leadership. If my information was deemed inaccurate, I understand (though I would be very interested to know why). If, however, the information was ignored because it did not fit certain preconceptions about Iraq, then a legitimate argument can be made that we went to war under false pretenses. (It's worth remembering that in his March 'Meet the Press' appearance, Mr. Cheney said that Saddam Hussein was 'trying once again to produce nuclear weapons.') At a minimum, Congress, which authorized the use of military force at the president's behest, should want to know if the assertions about Iraq were warranted." "What I Didn't Find in Africa," New York Times, July 6, 2003
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:	Experts Individuals with PhD's, JD's, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to the US - Iraq conflict. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to the US - Iraq conflict.
Involvement and Affiliations:	Manager, JCWilson International Ventures, a consulting firm specializing in strategic management and international-business development Sent to Niger on behalf of the CIA to investigate the possibility that Saddam Hussein had a deal to buy enriched uranium yellowcake, February, 2002 Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton, 1997-1998 Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council, Washington, D.C., 1997-1998 Political Adviser to Commander in Chief US Armed Forces, European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, 1995-1997 Ambassador to Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe, 1992-1995 Deputy Chief of Mission, Baghdad, Iraq, 1988-1991 Deputy Chief of Mission, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, 1986-1988 Congressional Fellow, offices of Senator Al Gore and Representative Tom Foley, 1985-1986 Deputy Chief of Mission, Bujumbura, Burundi, 1982-1985 Administrative Officer, Pretoria, South Africa, 1981-1982 Administrative Officer, US State Department, Washington, D.C., 1979-1981 dministrative Office, Lomé, Togo, 1978-1979 General Services Officer, Niamey, Niger, 1976-1978
Education:	Graduate of the Senior Seminar, the most advanced International Affairs training offered by the U.S. Government, 1972 BA, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1971
Other:	Recipient, BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award, shared with wife, Valerie Plame, 2005 Recipient, Ron Ridenhour Award for Truth-Telling (from the Fertel Foundation and The Nation Institute), 2003 Recipient, Secretary of State Distinguished Service Award Recipient, Department of State Superior Honor Award Recipient, Department of State Meritorious Honor Award Recipient, The University of California, Santa Barbara Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient, American Foreign Service Association William R. Rivkin Award, 1987 Born November 6, 1949, Bridgeport, Connecticut In 1991, he was the last official American to meet with Saddam Hussein before the launch of 'Desert Storm' As a public speaker, Wilson is represented exclusively by Greater Talent Network Inc., a celebrity speakers bureau Legal name is Joseph Charles Wilson, IV
Quoted in:	1. Did the US initially attempt to resolve the Iraq-Kuwait conflict peacefully?

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