Last August, when SADDAM'S tanks crushed the Iraqi National Congress and blew apart a CIA support operation, embarrassed U.S. officials blamed INC infighting. True, a Kurdish INC faction did invite the dictator back into northern Iraq's no-go zone. But documents obtained by TIME suggest that by failing to match tough words with tough deeds, the U.S. helped bring on the rout.
Vice President AL GORE wrote to INC president Ahmed Chalabi on Aug. 4, 1993. He called INC leaders "spokespersons for millions," affirmed Washington's "solid commitment" to "your struggle" and pledged that U.S. officials "will not turn our backs." Chalabi used...