Decision Points by George W. Bush
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Decision Points is the memoir by former US president George W. Bush released November 9, 2010.
Summary
A reflection by the 43rd President on his eight years in the office, and life beforehand.
Needing fact checking
Bush-Schröder meeting, January 31, 2002
Assertion: Bush claims Gerhard Schröder supported the US invasion of Iraq
Regarding a meeting that took place between Bush and Gerhard Schröder (then German Chancellor) in the White House on Jan. 31, 2002, Bush wrote that Schröder said to him:
- "What is true of Afghanistan is true of Iraq. Nations that sponsor terror must face consequences. If you make it fast and make it decisive, I will be with you." (Page needed)
Bush in the book says:
- I took that as a statement of support. But when the German election arrived later that year, Schröder had a different take. He denounced the possibility of force against Iraq. (Page needed)
Evaluation: Disputed by Shröder
From Der Spiegel (November 10, 2010, by Charles Hawley) [1]
- Schröder offered his version of that meeting. "Just as I did during my subsequent meetings with the American president, I made it clear that, should Iraq ... prove to have provided protection and hospitality to al-Qaida fighters, Germany would reliably stand beside the US," the former German chancellor said. "This connection, however, as it became clear during 2002, was false and constructed." [2]