The question mark’s there because Rummy actually yes “no” and then later “yes.”
This is from the November 2, 2003 program of Meet the Press.
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Rumsfeld: Saddam No Longer A Threat? (Small – 4 MB)
Tim Russert:
“The New York Times reports that senior administration officials say that Saddam is playing a significant role in coordinating and directing attacks, and that he is the catalyst for what is going on now.”
Donald Rumsfeld:
“I don’t know what — how to take the word “catalyst.” I don’t doubt for a minute that his being alive gives encouragement to the Baathists and the regime murderers that you see in those tapes killing people.”
Tim Russert:
“He may be directing the resistance?”
Donald Rumsfeld:
“If he’s — I think he’s alive. I think he’s probably in Iraq. He’s probably in northern Iraq, and he undoubtedly has ways to communicate, imperfect ways, but probably by couriers, with some other people. Is he masterminding some major activity? Difficult to know, but unlikely. Is he involved? Possibly.”
Tim Russert:
“He’s still a threat?”
Donald Rumsfeld:
“Personally, no. No. I mean, is it a threat to have released 100,000 criminals in a country with 23 million people? You bet. Is it a threat to have foreign terrorists coming across the borders? You bet. Is it a threat to have the leftovers of the Feyadeen Saddam and the murderers of Saddam Hussein’s regime the Baathists who benefited from his regime? Sure, it’s a threat. And there’s a lot of them, and there’s a lot of weapons in that country. There are weapons caches all over the country. So is that a danger for people in Iraq? Yes.”
Rumsfeld On Meet The Press: Saddam No Longer A Threat?
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