“On March 21, 2003–the second day of the war–[National Security Advisor Condoleezza] Rice and [her deputy Stephen] Hadley gave the president [Bush] and the NSC [National Security Council] a formal briefing on the nine U.S. and coalition war objectives. …One goal was stated as: ‘Iraq is seen to be moving towards democratic institutions and serves […]
Category: quotes
3/21/2003
On “Friday, March 21 [2003], missiles and bombs rained down on Baghdad [Iraq] for the start of the ‘shock and awe’ campaign, much of it covered live on CNN.” – Elisabeth Bumiller, Condoleezza Rice: An American Life, Page 211 […]
3/21/2003
“By March 21, [2003] it [Coalition forces] had advanced over 100 miles (160 kilometers) into southern Iraq. Other troops landed by sea on the coast south of Baghdad and seized control of important ports and oilfields. The bigger U.S. forces drove in a two-pronged attack toward Baghdad, while the smaller British Army forces advanced toward […]
3/21/2003
“On March 21 [2003], U.S.-led coalition forces mounted nine hours of ‘shock and awe’ bombing and missile strikes. Then ground forces entered Iraq.” – Michael Isikoff and David Corn, Hubris, Page 211 […]
3/21/2003
“At 6 am Iraq time on Friday, March 21 [2003], the 1st Marine Division crossed the Kuwait-Iraq border, followed shortly by the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division… He [President Bush] told [British Prime Minister Tony] Blair, ‘I would say we have 40 percent of the country easily and 85 percent of the oil fields, and those […]
3/20/2003
“On March 20 [2003], U.S. forces begin bombing Baghdad [Iraq].” – Craig Unger, House of Bush, House of Saud, Page 305 […]
3/20/2003
Shortly after President Bush announced the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, attempts were made to bomb Saddam and his sons at a farm outside Baghdad. Reports came in that, while unconfirmed, suggested the mission was successful. “Around 4:30 a.m. [on March 20, 2003], [CIA Director George] Tenet called the Situation Room and told the duty […]
3/20/2003
On the morning of March 20, 2003, President Bush called British Prime Minister Tony Blair to tell him that the beginning of the war plans had been altered. “Blair was in an expansive mood. He had led his reluctant nation to war, and the immediate prospects looked quite good. ‘I kind of think that the […]
3/20/2003
“On March 20 [2003], the first full day of the [Iraq] war, [Central Command leader] General [Tommy] Franks reported that Special Forces were in partial control of the western desert area–25 percent of Iraq’s territory, which enabled them to prevent Scud missile firings–as well as the southern oil fields.” – Bob Woodward, Plan of Attack, […]
3/20/2003
Former House of Commons leader Robin Cook quoted Prime Minister Tony Blair’s address to the U.K. on March 20, 2003, when Blair said: ” ‘Dictators like Saddam, terrorist groups like al-Qa’ida, threaten the very existence of such a world. That is why I have asked our troops to go into action tonight.’ “ Cook commented: […]