US rejects Rudd assertion of flawed Iraq intel
Updated
![The new Australian PM asserts that flawed intelligence was used to justify the invasion of Iraq by former PM Howard and US President Bush. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/aus_us_howardbush_rtr_05.jpg "The new Australian PM asserts that flawed intelligence was used to justify the invasion of Iraq by former PM Howard and US President Bush. [Reuters]")
The new Australian PM asserts that flawed intelligence was used to justify the invasion of Iraq by former PM Howard and US President Bush. [Reuters]
In the United States, the Bush administration has rejected the Australian prime minister's assertion that flawed intelligence was used to justify the invasion of Iraq.
Kevin Rudd argues intelligence information was abused in the lead up to the war, citing as an example the failure to find any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
His comments come as Australian troops end combat operations in southern Iraq, and prepare to return home.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino concedes the pre-war intelligence was not perfect but insists the US acted on a threat that was presented to it.
She says when the intelligence community presents you with their concerns, you have to take them seriously.
Ms Perino has also highlighted the president's efforts to improve the accuracy of US intelligence.
