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| Iraq |
| Evidence of Direct Link between al-Qa’eda and Saddam Hussein’s Regime Found |
| 2003-04-26 |
| Documents discovered in Baghdad by The Telegraph have provided the first evidence of a direct link between Osama bin Laden's al-Qa'eda terrorist network and Saddam Hussein's regime. The papers were found yesterday in the bombed headquarters of the Mukhabarat, Iraq's intelligence service, and reveal that an al-Qa'eda envoy was invited clandestinely to Baghdad in March 1998. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a relationship between Baghdad and al-Qa'eda based on their mutual hatred of America and Saudi Arabia. The meeting apparently went so well that it was extended by a week and ended with arrangements being discussed for bin Laden to visit Baghdad. The Telegraph found the file on bin Laden inside a folder lying in the rubble of one of the rooms of the destroyed intelligence HQ. There are three pages, stapled together; two are on paper headed with the insignia and lettering of the Mukhabarat. They show correspondence between Mukhabarat agencies over preparations for the visit of al-Qa'eda's envoy, who travelled to Iraq from Sudan, where bin Laden had been based until 1996. They disclose what Baghdad hoped to achieve from the meeting, which took place less than five months before bin Laden was placed at the top of America's most wanted list following the bombing of two US embassies in east Africa. Perhaps aware of the sensitivities of the subject matter, Iraqi agents at some point clumsily attempted to mask out all references to bin Laden, using white correcting fluid. The dried fluid was removed to reveal the clearly legible name three times in the documents. The file contradicts the claims of Baghdad, bin Laden and many critics of the coalition that there was no link between the Iraqi regime and al-Qa'eda. One Western intelligence official contacted last night described the file as "sensational", adding: "Baghdad clearly sought out the meeting. The regime would have wanted it to happen in the capital as it's only there they would feel safe from surveillance by Western intelligence." |
| Posted by:John Phares |
| #2 Yup, saw that too -- I wish somebody who has a subscription to the Times (UK) would post about it – I’m ready to ululate. |
| Posted by: John Phares 2003-04-26 21:29:27 |
| #1 Saw that on Drudge, he also has a headline - no link to story yet, but it reads: FRANCE BRIEFED IRAQ ON PRIVATE MEETINGS WITH U.S. I'd like to know more about this De Villepin treachery |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-04-26 21:17:00 |