Pentagon investigation concludes some prewar intelligence work inappropriate — but legal

WASHINGTON (AP) — A “very damning” report by the Defense Department’s inspector general depicts a Pentagon that purposely manipulated intelligence in an effort to link Saddam Hussein to al-Qaida in the runup to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, says the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“That was the argument that was used to make the sale to the American people about the need to go to war,” said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich. He said the Pentagon’s work, “which was wrong, which was distorted, which was inappropriate ... is something which is highly disturbing.”

The investigation by acting inspector general Thomas F. Gimble found that prewar intelligence work at the Pentagon, including a contention that the CIA had underplayed the likelihood of an al-Qaida connection, was inappropriate but not illegal. The report was to be presented to Levin’s panel at a hearing Friday.

The report found that former Pentagon policy chief Douglas J. Feith had not engaged in illegal activities through the creation of special offices to review intelligence. Some Democrats also have contended that Feith misled Congress about the basis of the administration’s assertions on the threat posed by Iraq, but the Pentagon investigation did not support that. Two people familiar with the findings discussed the main points and some details Thursday on condition they not be identified.

Levin has asserted that President Bush took the country to war in Iraq based in part on intelligence assessments — some shaped by Feith’s office — that were off base and did not fully reflect the views of the intelligence community.

Palestinians in Gaza celebrate Hamas-Fatah power-sharing deal they hope will avert civil war

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gazans danced in the streets, honked car horns and set off fireworks to celebrate a Hamas-Fatah power-sharing deal they hope will avert civil war.

The joy was in stark contrast to the gloom that descended on the impoverished coastal strip during months of deadly infighting between the political rivals. In a show of unity, some drivers flew both green Hamas flags and yellow Fatah banners from their cars.

“People are in disbelief,” Maysra Balawi, 24, said late Thursday as he tried to steer his car through jammed streets. “Today is a feast. It is the first happy protest I have seen in Gaza.”

Young men danced to the beat of drums, carrying each other on their shoulders. Celebratory gunfire could be heard in several parts of Gaza City and fireworks lit up the sky.

A coalition agreement between the Islamic militant group Hamas and the Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas was signed late Thursday in the holy Muslim city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Under the deal, Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas will remain prime minister. In all, Hamas will get nine Cabinet posts, compared to six for Fatah. Nine other posts will go to independents and smaller factions.

Prosecution rests after NBC’s Tim Russert completes his testimony in CIA leak trial

WASHINGTON (AP) — NBC’s Tim Russert deflected criticism of his ethics and credibility as he completed a heated second day of cross-examination Thursday in the trial of former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter Libby.

Russert, who testified that he never discussed outed CIA operative Valerie Plame with Libby, was the final prosecution witness before Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald rested his three-week perjury and obstruction case. Libby’s attorneys will begin calling witnesses Monday.