Demented Hamsters
05-10-2004, 02:15
Rumsfeld doubts Saddam Laden link
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has cast doubt on whether there was ever a relationship between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda.
The alleged link was one of the justifications used by President Bush for the invasion of Iraq.
In front of an audience in New York, Mr Rumsfeld was asked about connections between Saddam and Osama Bin Laden. "To my knowledge, I have not seen any strong, hard evidence that links the two," he said.
No proof
Donald Rumsfeld's off-the-cuff comments are often very revealing.
If he really meant what he said, it suggests that the Bush administration is in the process of retreating from previously held positions.
When asked about the putative link during a session at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, defence secretary said: "I have seen the answer to that question migrate in the intelligence community over a period of a year in the most amazing way."
In the past, Mr Rumsfeld has spoken of credible information about a link and Vice President Dick Cheney regularly goes further and talks of Saddam Hussein having provided safe harbour and sanctuary for al-Qaeda.
The idea that Saddam Hussein was a supporter of terrorism has been one of the key justifications used by the administration for his removal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3715396.stm
But hey, at least they not flip-floppers like Kerry, right?
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has cast doubt on whether there was ever a relationship between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda.
The alleged link was one of the justifications used by President Bush for the invasion of Iraq.
In front of an audience in New York, Mr Rumsfeld was asked about connections between Saddam and Osama Bin Laden. "To my knowledge, I have not seen any strong, hard evidence that links the two," he said.
No proof
Donald Rumsfeld's off-the-cuff comments are often very revealing.
If he really meant what he said, it suggests that the Bush administration is in the process of retreating from previously held positions.
When asked about the putative link during a session at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, defence secretary said: "I have seen the answer to that question migrate in the intelligence community over a period of a year in the most amazing way."
In the past, Mr Rumsfeld has spoken of credible information about a link and Vice President Dick Cheney regularly goes further and talks of Saddam Hussein having provided safe harbour and sanctuary for al-Qaeda.
The idea that Saddam Hussein was a supporter of terrorism has been one of the key justifications used by the administration for his removal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3715396.stm
But hey, at least they not flip-floppers like Kerry, right?