Attention Deficit - Live!

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A bit of an awkward moment for Larry King last night while interviewing Bob Woodward (via satellite) about the intercepts of Iraqi communications presented by Secretary of State Colin Powell at the UN:

KING: Let's listen to an example of what was presented -- an audio intercept. Listen.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): There is a directive of the (Republican) Guard Chief of Staff at the conference toady. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): They are intercepting the ammunition you have…

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): … for the possibility there is forbidden ammo.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Yes?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): For the possibility there is by chance, forbidden ammo.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): And we sent you a message to inspect the scrap areas and the abandoned areas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): After you have carried out what is contained in the message, destroy the message.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Because I don't want anyone to see this message.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

[Note: In the broadcast, the English translation was displayed as text on the screen; there was no audio translation.]

KING: That's pretty good intercepting.

WOODWARD: It's clear. Now, my video was not on and I don't speak the language, so which one was that?

KING: Where the guy was agreeing with hiding the -- I couldn't see it clearly on my monitor.

WOODWARD: The nerve agent?

KING: Yes. We had the message to hide it.

WOODWARD: Exactly. And there are -- there is the language of deception or keep this reference to nerve agent out of any wireless instructions that are set out…

King faked it like the pro that he is. (Why should he have to pay attention? It's his show.) And, as a good repeat guest, Woodward tried his best to help. But of course they were talking about an entirely different intercept -- one that had taken place a few weeks earlier where two Iraqi commanders discussed keeping references to nerve agent out of wireless communications. (Powell played that disturbing tape later in his presentation. )