Bush 'determined' to find out why WMD not found

United States President George Bush said tonight he was “determined to figure out why” stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction had not been found in Iraq, as he announced a commission of inquiry.

Mr Bush said the commission would review American intelligence and “especially our intelligence about weapons of mass destruction”.

The announcement comes amid ongoing controversy both in Washington and London as to why the Saddam Hussein’s much vaunted WMD stockpiles have not been found.

It also came after the top US weapons inspector in Iraq, David Kay, resigned recently, saying he did not believe such weapons would be found.

Dr Kay said he believed some pre-war intelligence about Iraq’s weapons was “wrong”.

Mr Bush said: “Dr Kay also stated that some pre-war intelligence assessments by America and other nations about Iraq’s weapons stockpiles have not been confirmed.

“We are determined to figure out why.”

He said: “We are also determined to make sure that American intelligence is as accurate as possible for every challenge in the future.”

Weapons proliferation meant the US and her allies were at risk of “catastrophic” attacks, he said.

“It is the policy of the United States government to oppose that threat by any means necessary.”

He went on: “Our efforts against proliferation begin with, and depend upon, accurate and thorough intelligence.

“America’s enemies are secretive, they are ruthless, and they are resourceful.

“In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, I will not take risks with the lives and security of the American people by assuming the good will of dictators.

“As we move forward in our efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, we must stay ahead of constantly changing intelligence challenges.

“The stakes for our country could not be higher and our standard of intelligence gathering and analysis must be equal to that of the challenge.”

The commission will study WMDs and and “related 21st Century threats”.

It will report by March 31, 2005 – after the November presidential election.

The commission will have access to the classified findings of the Iraq Survey Group (ISG), which Dr Kay headed until last month.

The ISG has been scouring Iraq for WMD stockpiles, but found none so far.

The commission will compare the findings of the ISG with pre-war intelligence.

It will also analyse intelligence gathering in North Korea, Iran, Libya and Afghanistan.

Mr Bush said he had ordered agencies, including the CIA, to co-operate with the commission.

He was speaking in Washington after signing the executive order creating the commission.