Meaning: The quote you provided is from David Kay, a scientist and former head of the Iraq Survey Group, who was tasked with searching for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq after the 2003 invasion. The quote touches on the topic of governments' support or lack thereof for the war in Iraq, particularly in relation to the belief in Iraq's possession of WMD.

In this quote, David Kay is highlighting the fact that many governments, including that of France, initially expressed concerns about Iraq's possession of WMD. This is significant because it raises questions about the intelligence and information available to world leaders at the time, as well as the justifications used to justify the invasion of Iraq.

When analyzing this quote, it's important to consider the context in which it was made. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 was based on the belief that Iraq possessed WMD, which posed a threat to global security. This belief was a key factor in the decision to go to war, and it was used to garner support from both domestic populations and the international community. However, as the search for WMD in Iraq after the invasion yielded no conclusive evidence, questions arose about the accuracy of the intelligence that had been used to justify the war.

David Kay's statement draws attention to the fact that even governments that did not support the war initially expressed concerns about Iraq's WMD capabilities. This raises important questions about the information that was available to world leaders at the time and the extent to which it was accurate and reliable. It also raises questions about the motivations behind the decision to go to war and the justifications that were used to garner support for it.

The quote also sheds light on the complexities of international relations and the divergent perspectives that different governments held regarding the situation in Iraq. It highlights the fact that the decision to go to war was not universally supported and that there were differing assessments of the threat posed by Iraq's alleged WMD.

In the years following the invasion of Iraq, the absence of WMD and the failure to find concrete evidence to support the initial claims became a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. The quote from David Kay serves as a reminder of the complexities and controversies surrounding the decision to go to war in Iraq and the subsequent search for WMD.

In conclusion, David Kay's quote provides insight into the complexities of international relations and the divergent perspectives held by different governments regarding Iraq's alleged possession of WMD. It also raises important questions about the accuracy of the intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq and the motivations behind the decision to go to war. The quote serves as a reminder of the controversies and complexities surrounding this pivotal moment in recent history.