More evidence

Public statement: Bush: "I’ve not made up our mind about military action. Hopefully, this can be done peacefully." [3/6/03] Private statement "The start date for the military campaign was now penciled in for 10 March," Mr. Manning wrote, paraphrasing the president. "This was when the bombing would begin." [Bush/Blair meeting, 1/31/03] Public statement: Bush: "We are doing everything we can to avoid war in Iraq." [3/8/03] Private statement: "The U.S. was thinking of flying U2 reconnaissance aircraft with fighter cover over Iraq, painted in U.N. colours," the memo says, attributing the idea to Mr. Bush. "If Saddam fired on them, he would be in breach." [Bush/Blair meeting, 1/31/03]