Truth and fiction:

From the Los Angeles Times (link) front page, lead story, November 4:

Allies Find No Links Between Iraq, Al Qaeda

Evidence isn't there, officials in Europe say, adding that an attack on Hussein would worsen the threat of terrorism by Islamic radicals.

"We have found no evidence of links between Iraq and Al Qaeda," said Jean-Louis Bruguiere, the French judge who is the dean of the region's investigators after two decades fighting Islamic and Middle Eastern terrorists. "And we are working on 50 cases involving Al Qaeda or radical Islamic cells. I think if there were such links, we would have found them. But we have found no serious connections whatsoever." Even in Britain, a loyal U.S. partner in the campaign against Iraq, it's hard to find anyone in the government making the case that Al Qaeda and the Iraqi regime are close allies.

The criticism in Europe reinforces the misgivings of some U.S. congressional leaders and intelligence officials about hawks in the Bush administration who allege that Iraq could have even played a role in the Sept. 11 attacks. Critics say that the evidence is weak and that intelligence agencies are feeling political pressure to implicate Iraq in terrorism. In the last two months, Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and others have periodically revived and expanded on the allegations.

From the White House website, Bush's comments about Saddam Hussein: (Campaign speeches only. For period of October 10 - November 04.)

1. OCT 28 Remarks by the President at New Mexico Welcome
   "This is a person who has had contacts with al Qaeda."
   
   
2. OCT 28 Remarks by the President in Colorado Welcome
   "He's got connections with al Qaeda."
   
   
3. OCT 31 Remarks by the President at South Dakota Welcome
   "This is a guy who has had connections with these shadowy terrorist networks."
   
   
4. NOV 01 Remarks by the President at New Hampshire Welcome
   "We know he's got ties with al Qaeda."
   
   
5. NOV 02 Remarks by the President in Florida Welcome
   "We know that he's had connections with al Qaeda."
   
   
6. NOV 02 Remarks by the President in Atlanta, Georgia Welcome
   "He's had connections with shadowy terrorist networks like al Qaeda."
   
   
7. NOV 02 Remarks by the President at Tennessee Welcome
   "We know that he has had contacts with terrorist networks like al Qaeda."
   
   
8. NOV 03 Remarks by the President in Minnesota Welcome
   "This is a man who has had contacts with al Qaeda."
   
   
9. NOV 04 Remarks by the President at Missouri Welcome
   "This is a man who has had al Qaeda connections."
   
   
10. NOV 04 Remarks by the President at Arkansas Welcome
    "He's had contacts with al Qaeda."
    
    
11. NOV 04 Remarks by the President in Texas Welcome
    "This is a man who has got connections with al Qaeda."

Plus this speculation:

• OCT 14 Remarks by the President in Michigan Welcome
  "... we need to think about Saddam Hussein using al Qaeda to do his dirty work, to not leave fingerprints behind."
  
  
• NOV 03 Remarks by the President in South Dakota Welcome
  "And, not only that, he is -- would like nothing better than to hook-up with one of these shadowy terrorist networks like al Qaeda, provide some weapons and training to them, let them come and do his dirty work, and we wouldn't be able to see his fingerprints on his action. "
  
  
• NOV 03 Remarks by the President at Illinois Welcome
  "He is a man who would likely -- he is a man who would likely team up with al Qaeda. He could provide the arsenal for one of these shadowy terrorist networks. He would love to use somebody else to attack us, and not leave fingerprints behind. "

posted by Quiddity at 11/04/2002 07:20:00 PM