Beginning
in February 2002 and continuing into 2004, the Bush administration
repeatedly used this false evidence to justify the war against Iraq.
Here are some examples:
Powell: "Al-Qaeda continues
to have a deep interest in acquiring weapons of mass destruction. As
with the story of Zarqawi and his network, I can trace the story of a
senior terrorist operative telling how Iraq provided training in these
weapons to al-Qaeda. Fortunately, this operative is now detained and he
has told his story. I will relate it to you now as he, himself,
described it…The support that this detainee describes included Iraq
offering chemical or biological weapons training for two al-Qaeda
associates beginning in December 2000." [Powell remarks to UN, 2/5/03]
Bush:
"Senior members of Iraqi intelligence and al Qaeda have met at least
eight times since the early 1990s. Iraq has sent bomb-making and
document forgery experts to work with al Qaeda. Iraq has also provided al Qaeda with chemical and biological weapons training." [2/6/03]
Bush: "Iraq has also provided al Qaeda with chemical and biological weapons training. And an al Qaeda operative was sent to Iraq several times in the late 1990s for help in acquiring poisons and gases." [2/8/03]
Bush:
"Some al Qaeda leaders who fled Afghanistan went to Iraq. These include
one very senior al Qaeda leader who received medical treatment in
Baghdad this year, and who has been associated with planning for
chemical and biological attacks. We’ve learned that Iraq has trained al Qaeda members in bomb-making and poisons and deadly gases." [10/7/02]
Cheney:
"[Saddam] also had an established relationship with al Qaeda, providing
training to al Qaeda members in the areas of poisons, gases, making
conventional bombs." [10/10/03]
Cheney:
"[Saddam] also had an established relationship with al Qaeda —
providing training to al Qaeda members in areas of poisons, gases and
conventional bombs." [10/17/03]
Cheney:
"It’s clearly established in terms of training, provision of
bomb-making experts, training of people with respect to chemical and
biological warfare capabilities, that al-Qaeda sent personnel to Iraq
for training and so forth…" [CNBC’s "Kudlow & Kramer," 6/4/04]
