John Conyers

John Conyers, Jr. (born May 16, 1929) is a U.S. Congressman from Michigan, representing that state's 14th District (map), which includes all of Highland Park and Hamtramck, as well as parts of Detroit and Dearborn. He has served since 1965 and is the second longest serving member of the House of Representatives, outranked only by fellow Michigan member John Dingell.

Downing Street memo

On May 5, 2005, Conyers and 88 other members of Congress wrote an open letter to the White House inquiring about a leaked memo which revealed an apparent secret agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom to attack Iraq in 2002. The Times, a British national newspaper, reported that newly-discovered documents reveal British and U.S. intentions to invade Iraq and leaders of the two countries had "discussed creating pretextual justifications for doing so". The documents go on to say that Tony Blair decided the U.S. would need to "create" conditions to justify the war.

Related Topics:
May 5 - 2005 - Memo - United Kingdom - Attack Iraq - The Times - Tony Blair

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The memo story broke in the United Kingdom, but has not received much coverage in the United States, prompting Conyers to lament: "This should not be allowed to fall down the memory hole during wall-to-wall coverage of the Michael Jackson trial and a runaway bride."

Related Topics:
Memo - United Kingdom - Michael Jackson - Runaway bride

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CNN picked up the story on June 7, more than a month after the letter was sent to the White House. Fox News had a story about the memo 6 days earlier, on June 1.

Related Topics:
CNN - Fox News

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Conyers et. al are seriously considering sending a congressional investigation delegation to London. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1622378,00.html

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