It has to be done

Last night during the Vice Presidential debate I could hardly believe that Dick Cheney said, "I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11" (Vice Presidential debates, 10/5/04)

Because, of course, Cheney said:

“His [Saddam's] regime has had high-level contacts with al Qaeda going back a decade and has provided training to al Qaeda terrorists.” [Cheney Remarks, 12/2/02]

And:

“I think there’s overwhelming evidence that there was a connection between al-Qaeda and the Iraqi government.” [National Public Radio, “Morning Edition,” 1/22/04]


Now, I feel these statements are trying to link Iraq to al Qaeda, the perpetrators of 9/11, in order to paint the invasion of Iraq as relevant to the war on terror. But, aside from that, his statements aren't supported by the facts. For instance:


The 9-11 Commission Report said no “Collaborative Operational Relationship” Existed Between Iraq and Al Qaeda. “We have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship. Nor have we seen evidence indicating that Iraq cooperated with al Qaeda in developing or carrying out any attacks against the United States.” [9-11 Commission Final Report, 7/22/04]


And:

The Senate Intelligence Committee Report found no “Established, Formal” Relationship Between Iraq and Al Qaeda. “The Senate Intelligence Committee’s report said CIA analysts were reasonable in their conclusion that there was no ‘established, formal’ relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda, nor proof that the two had collaborated in attacks. The committee noted that no new information had emerged since the CIA’s key reports to suggest otherwise.” [LA Times, 7/10/04]

And:

Secretary Rumsfeld just said on October 4, 2004, that he had no “Hard evidence” to Link Two. “…To my knowledge, I have not seen any strong, hard evidence that links the two.” [Donald Rumsfeld at Council on Foreign Relations, 10/4/04]