Mokhiber: Richard N. Perle is the chairman of the Defense Policy Board and
a leading public advocate for war on Iraq. In the New Yorker magazine this
week, Seymour Hersh reports that Perle is also managing partner in a
venture capital company, Trireme Partners, that is positioned to profit
from a war with Iraq. The federal Code of Conduct, which governs Perle in
this matter, prohibits conflicts of interest. Henry Kissinger resigned from
the 911 commission because of similar business conflicts. When asked on
Sunday by Wolf Blitzer about the New Yorker article, Perle called Hersh
"the closest thing American journalism has to a terrorist." Two questions.
Given Perle's conflict of interest, and given the widespread public belief
that this war is being driven by corporate interests -- war for oil, war
for defense contracts, war for construction contracts -- does the President
believe -
Fleischer: Whose informed judgement is that?
Mokhiber: Widespread public belief.
Fleischer: Widespread?
Mokhiber: Yes, widespread.
Fleischer: Widespread, or just that chair?
Mokhiber: No, widespread. Does the President believe that Richard Perle
should resign from the Defense Policy Board? And the second question, do
you agree with Richard Perle that Hersh is "the closest thing American
journalism has to a terrorist."
Fleischer: Russell, there is absolutely no basis to your own individual and
personal statement about what may lead to war. If anything leads to it is
the fact that Saddam Hussein has refused to disarm. And I think you do an
injustice to people, no matter what their background, if you believe that
people believe that Saddam Hussein should be disarmed for any reason that
suggests personal profit.
Mokhiber: What about the question Ari? Should he resign - and is he a
terrorist?
Fleischer: Russell, you have made your speech.
Mokhiber: You didn't answer the question.
Fleischer: You have made your speech.
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