Mokhiber: You've spoken today about the threat that this country faces. Last month, in referring to the threat posed by Iraq, you said, "I think some in the media have chosen to use the word imminent. Those were not words we used."

Scott McClellan: That's correct.

Mokhiber: When, in fact, a year ago, you said, in referring to the threat posed by Iraq, "This is about imminent threat." So which is it?

Scott McClellan: Russell, did you not read that transcript?

Mokhiber: I actually have it in front of me.

Scott McClellan: What does it refer to?

Mokhiber: Well, here we go. You were talking about Turkey requesting aid from NATO.

Scott McClellan: That's right.

Mokhiber: And you were talking about the threat -

Scott McClellan: In the lead-up to a decision that - in the immediate lead up to a decision that was made to go to war.

Mokhiber: Well, I'm just reading - you asked me if I had the transcript, so I'll just read it to you. Scott McLellan: It wasn't talking about the threat posed by Iraq to the world and to the international community overall. We said it was a grave and gathering threat.

Mokhiber: You said -- do you have the transcript? I have it. May I read it?

Scott McClellan: You may. Go ahead, read the whole thing.

Mokhiber: "And I think it's important," -- this is about the threat Iraq poses to Turkey -- "And I think it's important to note that the request from a country -

Scott McClellan: This is about a NATO request. Let's just sum this up right now. It wasn't relating to --

Mokhiber: No, it's about --

Scott McClellan: No, you're trying to take things out of context now. I appreciate it -

Mokhiber: No, this is exactly the transcript. It's not out of context, it's the transcript. You're talking about the threat Iraq posed to Turkey -- isn't that right?

Scott McClellan: In the immediate lead-up to the war in Iraq.

Mokhiber: And you said, "imminent threat."

Scott McClellan: And you're taking everything out of context here. I think everybody in this room has seen that transcript.

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-Thanks to Russell Mokhiber

White House reporter Russell Mokhiber is the editor of the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Crime Reporter - www.corporatecrimereporter.com. He co-authors the weekly Focus on the Corporation column with Robert Weissman which Common Dreams publishes. He can be reached at: russell@nationalpress.com