[fintstone]

I guess it depends on what Powell meant by "significant." If that meant on par with Russia or the US...or with Libya and Israel. Unlike Ritter, Both Powell and Rice were privy to current Intel and were (hopefully) not on Iraq's payroll. US intel assessments significantly changed after the quotes you posted while our tolerance for risk decreased. Like all leaders, they must depend on the accuracy of the info they are provided. An attack in the US on civilians was unthinkable prior to 9/11....After Saddam clearly rejoyced at our losses in 911..."significant WMDs" with mature delivery systems were not the only thing to fear from rogue regimes. Obviously, less capable WMDs in the hands of ruthless terrorists could be quite effective. A reasonable person would assume that if Saddam had nothing to hide, he would have met the terms of his agreement after the first Gulf War before going to war with a superpower. Now we know he felt secure in the knowledge that he had paid off members of the Security Council to prevent such a war. Since he was used to dealing with Clinton, he did not count on the US having a president with courage and resolve to go it alone.