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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| US official retracts Iraq remarks | US official retracts Iraq remarks |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The US state department official who said that the US had shown "arrogance and stupidity" in Iraq has apologised for his comments. | The US state department official who said that the US had shown "arrogance and stupidity" in Iraq has apologised for his comments. |
| Alberto Fernandez, who made the remarks during an interview with Arabic TV station al-Jazeera, said he had "seriously misspoke". | Alberto Fernandez, who made the remarks during an interview with Arabic TV station al-Jazeera, said he had "seriously misspoke". |
| His comments did not represent the views of the state department, he said. | His comments did not represent the views of the state department, he said. |
| The BBC's Sarah Morris in Washington says it is unclear if Mr Fernandez was told by his seniors to apologise. | The BBC's Sarah Morris in Washington says it is unclear if Mr Fernandez was told by his seniors to apologise. |
| His original remarks have resonated with many Democrats and some Republicans who have been urging the administration to shift their course in the conflict, she says. | His original remarks have resonated with many Democrats and some Republicans who have been urging the administration to shift their course in the conflict, she says. |
| They came at a time of intense scrutiny of White House Iraq policy, with mid-term elections due next month. | They came at a time of intense scrutiny of White House Iraq policy, with mid-term elections due next month. |
| 'Disaster for region' | |
| Mr Fernandez is an Arabic speaker who is director of public diplomacy in the state department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. | Mr Fernandez is an Arabic speaker who is director of public diplomacy in the state department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. |
| On Saturday, he told the Qatar-based broadcaster that the world was "witnessing failure in Iraq". | On Saturday, he told the Qatar-based broadcaster that the world was "witnessing failure in Iraq". |
| Upon reading the transcript of my appearance on al-Jazeera, I realised that I seriously misspoke Alberto Fernandez | Upon reading the transcript of my appearance on al-Jazeera, I realised that I seriously misspoke Alberto Fernandez |
| "That's not the failure of the United States alone, but it is a disaster for the region," he said. | "That's not the failure of the United States alone, but it is a disaster for the region," he said. |
| "I think there is great room for strong criticism, because without doubt, there was arrogance and stupidity by the United States in Iraq." | "I think there is great room for strong criticism, because without doubt, there was arrogance and stupidity by the United States in Iraq." |
| State department spokesman Sean McCormack initially said that Mr Fernandez had been quoted incorrectly and rejected his comments. | State department spokesman Sean McCormack initially said that Mr Fernandez had been quoted incorrectly and rejected his comments. |
| And in a statement posted on the state department's website, Mr Fernandez retracted his remarks. | And in a statement posted on the state department's website, Mr Fernandez retracted his remarks. |
| "Upon reading the transcript of my appearance on al-Jazeera, I realised that I seriously misspoke by using the phrase: 'There has been arrogance and stupidity' by the US in Iraq," he said. | "Upon reading the transcript of my appearance on al-Jazeera, I realised that I seriously misspoke by using the phrase: 'There has been arrogance and stupidity' by the US in Iraq," he said. |
| "This represents neither my views nor those of the state department. I apologise." | "This represents neither my views nor those of the state department. I apologise." |