I would call the WSJ lying, Zhukov. I have checked General Clark's statement from September 26, 2002 and I can't find the quotes they referenced. I did find these though from when he spoke that day.
"But the problem of Iraq is only an element of the broader security challenges facing our country. We have an unfinished, world-wide war against Al Qaeda, a war that has to be won in conjunction with friends and allies, and that ultimately be won by persuasion as much as by force, when we turn off the Al Qaeda recruiting machine. Some three thousand deaths on September 11th testify to the real danger from Al Qaeda, and as all acknowledge, Al Qaeda has not yet been defeated. Thus far, substantial evidence has not been made available to link Saddams regime to the Al Qaeda network. And while such linkages may emerge, winning the war against Al Qaeda may well require different actions than ending the weapons programs in Iraq."
and this:
"Force should be used as the last resort; after all diplomatic means have been exhausted, unless information indicates that further delay would present an immediate risk to the assembled forces and organizations. This action should not be categorized as preemptive. "
Read it yourself here:
LINK
As far as Hugh Shelton goes, I notice he didn't say exactly what Clark did and also remember that Shelton is a consultant on Edwards' campaign. I did a little digging though and I found this. It is Secretary of Defense Cohen talking about Wes Clark. Hugh Shelton was right there by his side too.
Q: This is General Clarke's last visit to Kosovo today. Any word on how he has performed his job?
Sec Def.: He has done an extraordinary job. General Clarke is one of our most brilliant officers. He undertook a mission that is perhaps one the most complicated and complex and carried it out successfully. As I mentioned in my remarks, this air campaign was the most successful in the history of warfare. We had over 38,000 sorties that were flown. We had only two planes that were shot down and no pilots lost. That is a record that is unparalleled in the history of warfare. So, General Clarke and his entire staff and subordinates and all who participated deserve great credit.
Q: Why is he leaving office, then?
Sec Def.: He is leaving because we have General Ralston who will become the new SACEUR. We are now replacing many of our CINCs throughout the world.
Q: It is not a reflection on his performance?
Sec Def: No reflection at all. He has done an outstanding job as the Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Southern Command, and he did an outstanding job here as EUCOM Commander and also as SACEUR.
LINK
Also, Cohen and Shelton awarded Clark with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal in September, 1999. Here's a couple of requirements for awarding that medal:
C3.2.7. No Defense decoration shall be awarded or presented
to any Service member whose entire service during or
after the time of the distinguished act, achievement,
or service has not been honorable.
C3.2.8. Any Defense decoration for a distinguished
act, achievement, or service may be revoked if facts,
later determined, would have prevented original approval
of the decoration.
Funny how people just believe what they want even if it isn't true.
-Bam