Following Secretary of State Colin Powell’s address to the U.N. on February 5, 2003, Vice President Dick “Cheney wanted to give his own speech making the charge [of Iraq seeking yellowcake uranium in Niger]. [CIA Director George] Tenet was upset. …The CIA intelligence does not support the conclusion of Cheney’s proposed speech, he said [to President Bush]. There is no proof that Saddam had ‘authority, direction and control’ of any al Qaeda aid coming from Iraq. If Cheney gives the speech, Tenet told the president, the CIA cannot and will not stand behind it. Bush backed Tenet. He told Cheney not to give the speech.”
– Bob Woodward, State of Denial, Page 135