Synopsis of Drama script on Iraq

Synopsis of Drama script on Iraq


The Project- First two pages.


Quote from Dick Cheney April 29 1991 talking about the absurdity of Invading Iraq.

“Once you’ve got Baghdad, its not clear what you do with it. Its not clear what kind of Government you would put in place of the one that’s currently there…How much credibility is that government going to have if it’s set up by the United States military when its there ?

……I think to have American military forces engaged in a civil war inside Iraq would fit the definition of quagmire, and we have absolutely no desire to get bogged down in that fashion”

Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney April 29, 1991



Its 1992 in a house in Washington. Two men Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle

are discussing the recent events in Baghdad in bitter but supportive of each other terms. Wolfowitz is an academic with long, thick, greying hair and a soft manner but very hawkish. There is discussion of George Bush senior and Colin Powell encouraging Iraqis to rise up after the expulsion of Saddam from Kuwait only to let them be crushed when they did so-as being all wrong. They talk about the opportunity now for the US with collapse of the Soviet Union to have a more interventionist approach in foreign policy- the need to deal with rogue states, as they will increasingly threaten US interests. They make reference to Japan, Europe and China gaining in the Middle East if the US does not adopt a pre-emptive approach and their pessimism about Clinton acting rightly. Wolfowitz takes out a comb in the middle of the discussion, licks it ,and combs his hair to make a parting.

There are images of 9/11 contrasted with Bush sitting in school. A TV broadcast relays details of 9/11 and this flicks back and forth between Bush and images. There is a Bush press conference . A journalist makes his way to be with the rest of the journalists . They shout questions but he –John – does not –he is pensive.

10/11

Oval Office.

Rumsfeld argues that there is an opportunity over 9/11 with Iraq, with Wolfowitz strongly supportive. CIA Director George Tenet gives information about possible links between Bin Laden and Saddam. Powell is dead against war. Bush argues for more detailed discussion at Camp David. Powell likes well-laid plans, order and a high degree of predictability about the consequences of an action and the military man as opposed to politician comes across. Rumsfeld has an almost boyish demeanour and looks younger than 69.Tenet (48) is hefty and outgoing but highly strung and a workaholic. He has been prone to volatility in the past but in better control of this now.



Bush effuses and encourages certainty in others. He is for resolve, and againstsilence, neutrality and indecision and it is important to him that he is seen in this way.

He is influenced by Roosevelt’s’ decision- making thought processes during WW 2. States -“I’m against silence” quote at Camp David meeting as this encourages the terrorists and rogue states.

Clinton is described as having “reflective pullback” policy by Rumsfeld and too much caution -cruise missile was his weapon of choice- agreement this is no longer applicable post 9/11. Rumsfeld has a driven, workaholic ethos but can also be witty and endearing as well as being a slave-driver to subordinates who he does not always trust. Bush concurs about Clinton inviting terrorism in “launching a cruise missile into some guy’s tent from a submarine” .

11/11 There is a key meeting of top people at Camp David.

Bush, Andrew Card – Chief of Staff, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Powell. Cheney is 61, balding, heavy, and very pro-war with Iraq. He is the main protagonist of Powell. There is agreement about Afghanistan and the Taliban but then differences of nuance about going after Iraq with Rumsfeld most keen and Powell most against. Cheney argues that the standard of proof has to be lowered , defence alone wasn’t enough , we need offense. They have a vote 4 –0 against war on Iraq at this time with Rumsfeld abstaining Rumsfeld is in favour of a mobile war when the time comes. His style is to get where he wants by continually asking questions.

Bush lets other debate and argues, sitting back before making points.

16th September

Bush tells Condoleezza Rice of conclusions of Camp David in Oval office, that they are putting Iraq off “ We don’t do Iraq now”. For now they would concentrate on Afghanistan but Clinton policy of containment was now out. Rice is very close to Bush. She is tall with good posture, and, like Rumsfeld, has a wide smile. Her walk is graceful.. She is almost a member of Bushs’ family.

John tells his girlfriend he is thinking that the Government will invade Afghanistan followed by Iraq and that he wants to report first hand what goes on. She is worried. Why can’t he just continue to write articles here where it is safe? Responsibility to public is his reply.



Wednesday 21 November, 2001

A meeting in the situation room with the inner circle ends. Bush approaches Rumsfeld and takes him by the arm – he says he needs to see him privately and this is done in front of the others who know this is significant.

In a closed meeting Bush asks Rumsfeld what kind of war plan exists for Iraq and what he feels about that plan. Rumsfeld uses this opportunity to express his frustrations about all the war plans and states that general Tommy Franks feels the same way . A copy of Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris is on Bushs’ desk.

The two men agree that Rumsfeld and Franks have to update the war plan for Iraq, but that this should remain top secret- kept under cover as part of a worldwide review with the exception of the CIA director George Tenet who should be included but not just yet. Rumsfield makes a case for “boots on the ground” and mobile war in general terms. American people have to become used to this again after Vietnam and Clinton.

Somalia disaster meant no troops in Kosovo- “we can’t really win that way”.