This is just incredible (warning; do NOT click link before breakfast – while the comments are nauseating enough, the article also has a picture of Ms. Cagan that will be a shocker this early):
Britsh MPs visiting the Pentagon to discuss America’s stance on Iran and Iraq were shocked to be told by one of President Bush’s senior women officials: “I hate all Iranians.”
And she also accused Britain of “dismantling” the Anglo-US-led coalition in Iraq by pulling troops out of Basra too soon.
The all-party group of MPs say Debra Cagan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Coalition Affairs to Defence Secretary Robert Gates, made the comments this month.
And apparently, the comment was not out of context – recall that body language convey much more information than the verbal:
Although it was an aside, it was not out of keeping with her general demeanour.
“She seemed more keen on saying she didn’t like Iranians than that the US had no plans to attack Iran,” said one MP. “She did say there were no plans for an attack but the tone did not fit the words.”
Another MP said: “I formed the impression that some in America are looking for an excuse to attack Iran. It was very alarming.”
The article is well substantiated:
The Pentagon denied Ms Cagan said she “hated” Iranians.
“She doesn’t speak that way,” said an official.
But when The Mail on Sunday spoke to four of the six MPs, three confirmed privately that she made the remark and one declined to comment. The other two could not be contacted.
I admit to never having heard of her before, but a quick google brought me to The Newshoggers which reports that she had the patronage of Richard Armitage since early this decade (scroll down for their ‘Update’).
So there we have it – foreign policy being set by irrational emotions and extreme prejudice. This place is getting truly scary.