New evidence has emerged that reveals Henry Kissinger gave the Argentine military 'a green light' in its 1970s-80s campaign against leftists. New evidence has emerged that the U.S. and then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger gave explicit support for Argentina’s “dirty war” against dissidents during the 1970s. A transcript of a 1976 meeting between Kissinger and a Argentine Navy Admiral reveals that Kissinger said, '’Look, our basic attitude is that we would like you to succeed. I have an old-fashioned view that friends ought to be supported.” Kissinger continued “What is not understood in the United States is that you have a civil war. We read about human rights problems but not the context. The quicker you succeed, the better.'’ Between 1975 and 1983, the military oversaw the disappearance of some 30,000 people. [More info from the National Security Archive]

Israel “Full Partner” with the U.S. & UK Over Iraq Intelligence
An Israeli military research center has released a report that found Israel was a “full partner” with the U.S. and British in the intelligence failures over Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. The report from Tel Aviv University’s Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies found that Israeli officials provided the U.S. with a “exaggerated assessment of Iraqi capabilities,” raising the “possibility that the intelligence picture was manipulated.”

This news from Chechyna, at least 36 people have been killed and scores wounded after a bomb blew up a commuter train.

The Financial Times is reporting that Boeing has invested $20 million into an investment fund run by Pentagon advisor Richard Perle. The investment came at a time that Boeing was attempting to secure an $18 billion contract with the Pentagon to lease refueling aircraft tankers.

The independent commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks announced Thursday that former Georgia Senator Max Cleland would soon be leaving the commission in order to take a position on the board of the Export-Import Bank. According to the New York Times, he was recommended to the bank board by fellow Democrats over the summer. Democratic Senate Leader Tom Daschle will select Cleland’s successor. Cleland has been the chief critic on the commission of the White House stonewalling over releasing documents.

The Army Times is reporting that private military contractors have used in at least one instance a controversial new form of firepower in Iraq that is still barred for use by the military The armor-piercing bullet can be fired from a gun but it has far more power than any conventional gun ammunition. A contractor recently fired a shot at the buttocks of an Iraqi man from a distance of 100 yards. According to the contractor “It entered his butt and completely destroyed everything in the lower left section of his stomach … everything was torn apart.” Since the ammunition is still not allowed by the military, the contractor would have been court martial if he were enlisted. But no rules appear to apply for military contractors.

The French magazine Le Canard Enchaine is reporting that 1700 U.S. soldiers have deserted their posts in Iraq or have refused to return to duty after going on leave. The reported was based on interviews with officials within the French intelligence agency.

On Thursday, President Bush officially rescinded tariffs on imported steel. The World Trade Organization had threatened to impose record trade sanctions against the U.S. if the tariffs were not lifted. The move could benefit Democrats in the 2004 in the steel producing states of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In India, the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party swept elections in three states held by the opposition Congress Party.

: Send Democracy Now! headline suggestions.