US denies closely linking Saddam to Zarqawi
The White House denied ever linking Saddam Hussein and Jordanian-born extremist Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi in “direct, operational” ties before the March 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. “There was no direct, operational relationship, but there was a relationship,” spokesman Tony Snow told reporters, defending nearly four years of rhetoric closely linking Iraq and Al-Qaeda fighters to justify the war. Full Story