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Senate Report on Iraq Intelligence: No Zarqawi/Qaeda-Saddam link

A Senate report on prewar intelligence on Iraq finds no evidence that Saddam Hussein had a relationship with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his Al Qaeda. Specifically, the CIA found in 2005 that Saddam "did not have a relationship, harbor, or turn a blind eye toward Zarqawi and his associates."

This is the latest blow to the adminstration's (remarkably successful) 5-year effort to conflate Al Qaeda and Saddam in the public mind. Recall -- with the aid of our handy timeline of prewar intel -- the following:

The day after the 9/11 attacks, according to Richard Clarke's book, "Against All Enemies," Bush collared Clarke and and said, "I know you have a lot to do and all, but I want you, as soon as you can, to go back over everything, everything. See if Saddam did this. See if he's linked in any way." Clarke responds, "But, Mr. President, Al Qaeda did this." Bush tells him, "I know, I know, but -- see if Saddam was involved. Just look. I want to know any shred...."

On September 19, 2001, President Bush, according to Ron Suskind, told CIA chief George Tenet, "I want to know about links between Saddam and al Qaeda. The Vice President knows some things that might be helpful." Vice President Cheney tells Tenet about a report that one of the hijackers, Mohammed Atta, met with senior Iraqi intelligence officials in Prague. Tenet promises to investigate. Two days later, Tenet reports back: CIA's Prague office thinks the Atta story "doesn't add up." Moreover, the intelligence community knows that Atta's credit card and phone were used in Virginia during the period in question. Cheney, however, will continue to cite the alleged meeting in public appearances.

On September 21, 2001, President Bush was informed in a highly classified briefing that the US intelligence community could not link Saddam Hussein to the 9/11 attacks and that there is little evidence pointing to collaborative ties between Iraq and Al Qaeda.

On September 25, 2005, President Bush told journalists, "You can't distinguish between al Qaeda and Saddam when you talk about the war on terror."

On September 27, 2002, Donald Rumsfeld called the link between Iraq and al Qaeda "accurate and not debatable."

The report confirms (reconfirms, I'd say), in the words of the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, that "the Bush administration's case for war in Iraq was fundamentally misleading."

Full Senate report here. (PDF)

Comments

The only thing I would really love to know is...why is there is such a strong evidence of wrongdoing by the president, why does noone starts an impeachment proccess?

Posted by: Dr.Q on 09/08/06 at 4:01 PM

He’s not being impeached because you don’t question daddy. The fascists were able to criticize Clinton, because he’s from the mommy party. It was a popular move because your average dumb white-trash peasant knows “he don’t like them pansy girly Democrats”. And, the Democratic “leaders” – being mostly male – aren’t going to question the daddy king either.

Posted by: John on 09/08/06 at 5:08 PM

Why do morons like Dr.Q and John think anyone wants to hear to them from?

Posted by: brian t carey on 09/08/06 at 7:43 PM

Note to Julian Brookes: The address in the "Full Senate report here" phrase, (http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2006/09/senate_report_o.html), links to this blog post, not the Senate report.

Posted by: Jim on 09/08/06 at 11:01 PM

Brian, I don't get your indictment of Dr. Q on this particular blog, because his question seems blameless and obvious. Even John, who I frequently disagree with because he seems to be all criticism and no action, makes some what of a point in his absurd way.
Democrats need to stop thinking that 'frosting' an opponent with 'but a glance' works in today's climate. That has passed the way of Bertie and Jeeves.
What angers me is why Democrats don't go after the intolerance of the opposition. Granted I tend to surround myself with tolerant people, but it seems like there are just as many progressive minds as there are ignorant hatemongers. So why didn't John Kerry, for instance, say to the Bush campaign in 2004, "You're nuts! Carl Rove, your stepdad's gay and Vice Pres Cheney, so is your daughter [the subtle way that Kerry mentioned Mary Cheney only recieved a backlash] so why the hell are you trying to condemn these people and run a hate-think campaign. You're hypocrits and bigots and you don't deserve to hold office in America!" Instead, polite dancing around the subject. A Republican would have had no trouble speaking that plainly. Democrats DO need to get over the daintiness of their style and get bold, accusatory and harsh, putting Republicans on the DEFENSIVE for being social cavemen and fakes.

Posted by: paul miller on 09/09/06 at 9:58 AM

Face it, guys. Both of your Parties are in thrall and possessed by the corporate-military complex. Nobody willing to rock the boat ($$$!). Only answer is revolution; and, obviously, not (yet) forthcoming. And let's please don't let the same lying maniacs begin loosing missles over Iran, OK?

Posted by: sihlok on 09/09/06 at 8:57 PM

Comment #22613 by Linda Graves on 9/09 at 7:15 pm

Folks, Sen. Pat Roberts has been running interference and stonewalling this entire investigation since it began! I believe it was over 18 months ago when he promised, in the presence of Vice Chairman Rockefeller, on “Meet the Press” that the second part of this investigation would be completed shortly after the 2004 election. Like his Boss, he lied, and his actions are completely reprehensible! The Republican majority on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has overruled every effort made by the Minority members to complete the second portion of the investigation, the second half of which concerns the “misuse of intelligence by the administration”. That is the part Roberts WILL NOT ALLOW TO GO FORWARD! This is unconscionable, as EVERY DAY THAT PASSES WITHOUT THE TRUTH BEING REVEALED TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC--the hard truth that the Bush administration LIED THIS COUNTRY INTO AN UNNECESSARY WAR-----IS ANOTHER DAY OF DANGER AND DEATH FOR OUR SOLDIERS AND FOR THE IRAQI PEOPLE! How can the members of this committee sleep at night, knowing that they have the power to “bring this President down” for “high crimes and misdemeanors”, but continue to remain acquiescent to the Majority while more of our soldiers die because of George Bush?
The only reason the latest conclusions came out was the fact that Sen. Snowe and Sen. Hagel, both Repubs, finally joined with the Minority to overrule Roberts! They deserve much praise for that move! The American people should contact each and every member of the SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE and INSIST UPON AN IMMEDIATE COMPLETION OF THE FINAL PART OF PHASE II OF THEIR INVESTIGATION----BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION!!! The public deserves to know WHO and WHAT they’re voting for, and this committee OWES the public and our soldiers THE TRUTH!
I’ve been writing this Committee for three years now, to no avail. Everybody out there, let’s put MORE PRESSURE on them to complete their job!!!

Posted by: Linda Graves on 09/10/06 at 5:42 PM

Thank you all for the imput. It seems to me that the overall american mind seems to avall the power of the men in power or the man in power. I can really lay no blame for that line of though.
I still think no one has found evidence of any wrongdoing

Posted by: Dr.Q on 09/27/06 at 3:16 PM