President Bush has made it clear that Iraq is “a threat to our nation” not only because Saddam Hussein illegally maintains weapons of mass destruction but because he retains close ties to terrorist organizations like al-Qaida. Speaking at a press conference last week, Bush attempted to make the case that the face-off with Saddam is part of the nation’s ongoing war on terror, citing Iraq as “a country that has got terrorist ties.” Saddam, Bush said, “has trained and financed al-Qaida type organizations before – al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations. I take the threat seriously.” Many Americans feel Saddam’s regime in Baghdad is working hand in glove with Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida terrorists responsible for the 9/11 tragedy. According to a New York Times/CBS poll, 42 percent of those surveyed believe Saddam was personally responsible for the World Trade Center attack. A separate poll by ABC showed that 55 percent of those questioned believe the Iraqi government provides support to al-Qaida. Actually, the situation is murkier. The U.S. government has endeavored to link Iraq to al-Qaida with only limited success – at least in its public disclosures. The State Department has cited bits and pieces of Iraqi-al-Qaida interaction but nothing establishing anything approaching an alliance. Full Story
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