The war on Iraq was an atrocity

[southerngale]

Hey im an Admin.. Not a mod. I get paid 5 cents more an hour then the mods

Ok, something's wrong with this picture. Have all my paychecks got lost in the mail?? :-?

[ameriwx2003]

Marshall... exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):)

[stormchazer]

You're entitled to your own opinions. I'm not a bush fan- you are.

Yes we are. So, IMO being a Bush fan has nothing to do with what is right or wrong. Bush is the President of the United States and regardless, you should back him and support him.


BTW.... do you think Gore would fought back after we were attacked Sept. 11th?!!!

Chad.... we need to discuss my extra 5 bucks an hour. LOL!!

I respectfully disagree- I do not have to back him or support him. I have the right to disagree with his policies and to protest peacefully against them. I didn't vote for him- I probably won't vote for him in 2004. What I think of Gore doens't matter one whit when discussing Bush. I'm not going to try to crawl into Gore's mind and determine what he would have done in Bush's position- I'm simply disagreeing with what Bush has done

I support our troops by choice. I dont' support Bush- by choice It's all neat and tidy

In response to your first post the world is full of moments where we could have prevented more bloodshed but did not. For example....

* Do you think that if the Founding Fathers had allowed the call for an end to slavery to remain in the Constitution that the Civil War and racial strife might have been avoided or minimized?

* Had the Allies not insisted on total vengence on Germany after WW I, would Hitler have risen to power. (Why America must rebuild Iraq) I do not think so.

* Chamberlain missed a chance to stop Hitler by choosing appeasement at Munich.

* What if FDR had not given Eastern Europe to the Russians at Yalta. The Cold War might have been prevented.

* FDR new the Japanesse were planning an attack on our assets. If he had struck them first, do you think the 100K+ casualties in the Pacific could have been prevented?

* If we had not insisted on isolationism between WW I and WW II, would WWII have happened on the scale it did?

Why are we the policeman of the world? Because we are the only country that can be. The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $37,600. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment, although their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. (CIA Fact Book)

The United States is powerful because God has blessed it with resources that are the superior in practically every imaginable category. These blessings give a relative quality of life that permits people to be more generous with their neighbors, while the huge expanse of the country allows people to move away from those they do not like.

• The United States has the best and most productive expanse of farmland in the world. A terrific blessing that allows for growth. As ecologist Barry Commoner stated, the land is so fertile that in any other country of the world such quality farmland would be set aside as a national treasure.
• It has the best natural river system imaginable, fed by a uniquely balanced system of groundwater. In the country’s early history canals were built to allow interior river navigation and transport to many of the rivers in the northeast. This blessing fed the western expansion over the Appalachian Mountains after the American Revolution. The longest river, the Mississippi runs north to south for 2,500 miles through the center of the country, its tributary system draining 40% of the continental United States. Much of that system is navigable.

• The navigable waterways of the Great Lakes are an unbelievable natural blessing if for no other reason than it provides an interior of trade and gives a huge source of fresh water that feeds the underground water system for the entire eastern United States. This was greatly enhanced in 1949 by a series of locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway that made ocean-going navigation possible 2,000 miles from the Atlantic coast to the interior of the country. These Great Lakes also modify, moderate the weather patterns in the Eastern United states, while drawing humidity and rain to the Midwest.

• The coasts of the United States contain deep and well-protected natural harbors that have been improved to provide protection to ocean-going shipping. Look at the cities on the East Coast, West Coast and Gulf Coast, and notice the God-given natural harbors that beg for cities to grow, trade and flourish.

• The mineral wealth of the United States is unmatched by any country in the world, except perhaps that of Russia. Only the United States has been given a full opportunity to develop the major blessings God has provided in the ground: coal, iron, copper, petroleum, lead, zinc, gold, silver, all in massive quantities. The mineral wealth of the United States also contains all but a few of the necessary trace minerals necessary for modern metallurgy and technology.

• The natural barriers such as mountains and rivers are situated such that they are not permanent obstacles, but force expansion of the population into new and less developed territories. This blessing breaks up weather patterns to create the great grasslands of the plains.

• The nation is blessed with peaceful neighbors for most of its history on the north and the south.

• The wide protective oceans on the east and west graciously became highways for commerce, and moats when needed for protection from potential enemies.

• The soil of much of the country was so productive that moving to a new territory of undeveloped land allowed enough settlers to overcome hardships, build a new life, and offer surplus crops for sale. Because of an extensive and expansive transportation infrastructure, seemingly unproductive land in one area of the country can grow crops for transport to an area that can appreciate unique crops.

• Not to be forgotten is the fact that for the past 60 years nationwide the United States has an unprecedented blessing of productive rainfall in the right places at the right times — a run of good weather practically unheard of in recorded human history since the Pax Romana of the 1st century C.E.

• The blessing of public hygiene (clean water and sewers) in the expanding cities almost single-handedly made possible a substantial increase of longevity, which was then given to the world. While not a natural blessing this situation was made possible by an abundant and extensive natural water system (from God) that is self-cleansing.

• The higher education system in the United States is the envy of the world in technological output of engineers and scientists, with most of the world’s best and brightest graduate students coming to the United States for their technical education.

» “Is poised to spend more on defense in 2003 than the next 15–20 biggest spenders combined,”
» “Purchases this preeminence with only 3.5% of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product), the lowest in the history of the world,”
» Has an “overwhelming nuclear superiority,”
» “[H]as the world's dominant air force,”
» Possesses “the only truly blue-water navy,”
» Holds a “unique capability to project power around the globe,”
» Effortlessly sustained a $50 billion increase in defense spending after September 11, indicating an economy that is unbelievably dynamic,
» “[M]ilitary advantage is even more apparent in quality than in quantity,”
» “Leads the world in exploiting the military applications of advanced communications and information technology,”
» Has technology that allows for more realistic training, producing better soldiers, and does it faster,
» Military can “coordinate and process information about the battlefield and destroy targets from afar with extraordinary precision,”
» “Spends three times more on military research and development (R&D), than the next six powers combined,”
» Economic dominance dwarfs all other countries or combination of countries, including the European Economic Union (which by the way has small military forces, even including NATO),
» Expenditure for economic research and development “nearly equaled those of the next seven richest countries combined,”
» Not only has dominance in every major indicator of power, but the rest of the world, individual nations, trading blocs and regions, are all dependent upon United States cooperation for their own economic well-being, for which there is no substitute.
What is going on here? Why is the United States so blessed, with the blessings seeming to increase, despite difficult challenges and problems at home? Brooks and Wohlforth conclude,
“... no global challenge to the United States is likely to emerge for the foreseeable future. No country, or group of countries, wants to maneuver itself into a situation in which it will have to contend with the focused enmity of the United States.”

The people of the Unites States are not morally superior to any other people. They are not a “chosen” people, although they have received special blessings. With such blessings come great responsibilities. One way the United States has shown itself to be responsible with its blessings has been through the generosity of its people in times of distress of other nations and peoples. Also, the United States has been generous with defeated enemies, aiding and helping them to recover rather than to suppress and crush them. (http://www.askelm.com/news/n030123.htm)

With power comes responsibility and a lot of envy from other nations. It also makes you a target for criticism and attack from those wanting tocut you down.

[southerngale]

BTW, it's despicable how the republicans and George W. Bush have turned 9/11 to their own political advantage. The political climate in the U.S now is: You either support Bush or you support the terrorists. Sad... and scary...

Yep, you either support us or you support the terrorists! Nothing wrong with that!! Thank God he's got the guts to stand up and do something about them. Yes, it'll be a long and difficult road but everyone knows that those who oppose Bush would be screaming bloody murder if he wasn't taking action. He just can't win for losing with some people...doesn't matter what he does!

And no, he's not using 9/11 for political gain. If you really believe that, go back and watch the events of that day, read some articles, visit the families of those who died and are still mourning....innocent people who just got up one day and went to work or whatever they were tending to that horrific day. I for one am still ticked off about that day and want every single person involved in those events in any way to pay for what they did!! Thank you Bush for not forgetting...I never will.

[southerngale]

And no I'm not a republican either.

Congrats Ticka.. You have taken the first step to recovery.. Admiting the problem lol j/k

LOL Chad - do you think there is hope for me......

Yep, there's hope. You have a good head on your shoulders so eventually you'll come to the right side.

hehe

[mf_dolphin]

Jason, political gain comes from positive action against those who committed the atrocities of 9-11. For years we allowed US interests to be attacked without doing a thing against those who funded and carried out the attacks. While we got a lot of posturing by the former Presidents, nothing happened! This President is very very different! Thank God for that!

[opera ghost]

See Jara there in lies a difference in core opinion. I believe that while the US still has problems- the US should come before any other country. I also dissagree with any inherent responsibility to world society based on our advantages- much like I disagree that the Einsteins of the world have a responsibility to work for the betterment of society. I believe that the individual should usually come before the whole... especially in the world arena. That's straight up basic level instinct. If it's a choice between the world and the US- I pick the US. If it's a choice between me and someone else the instinct to live will usually push you to make the choice that preserves life.

Someday our luck as a country is going to run out. I don't look forward to the day but I recognize that it will happen. When our luck has run out and we have given all of ourselves to the greater good of the world- do you believe that the world will come to our aid?

I don't.

And I think it's a shame. A bloody shame.

In response to your first post the world is full of moments where we could have prevented more bloodshed but did not. For example....

* Do you think that if the Founding Fathers had allowed the call for an end to slavery to remain in the Constitution that the Civil War and racial strife might have been avoided or minimized?

etc etc etc

Yes (to the overall general question rather than to any specific one). I think a lot of bloodshed and war could have been prevented. I also think that the people who, at the time, chose the path that would have lead to a more peaceful future... have some right to say "You know- I know it's not important in the general scheme of things... but I told you so..."

The US is powerful but we are not perfect. Working on our imperfections (poverty, crime, etc) before working on the world's imperfections might be to our advantage. I can't see the future- but that's my general feeling.

[mf_dolphin]

If our country followed your guidelines the following would have occured:

Germany would cover all of Western Europe and there would be no Jewish people left there.

Japan would comprise nearly all of Asia.

North Korea would control all of the Korean pennisula.

Russia would control all the area between Germany and Japan.

The facts are is that we spend a far greater amount of at home than we do abroad. Isolationism does not work and will never work! We have a duty as the leader of the free world to help those who can't help themselves. It's one of the things that makes this country great!

[southerngale]

If our country followed your guidelines the following would have occured:

Germany would cover all of Western Europe and there would be no Jewish people left there.

Japan would comprise nearly all of Asia.

North Korea would control all of the Korean pennisula.

Russia would control all the area between Germany and Japan.

The facts are is that we spend a far greater amount of at home than we do abroad. Isolationism does not work and will never work! We have a duty as the leader of the free world to help those who can't help themselves. It's one of the things that makes this country great!

Yep...exactly!

[vbhoutex]

I usually stay out of these debates, but I am not going to this time.

OG, let me say straight up I respect you for standing up for your opinions. May I also point out the reason you may do so is the fact that the US has taken on a job no other nation will/can? You have a right to do it because our troops have helped keep this country FREE FOR ALL over the last 200+ years in many different theaters in the world. Could things have been done differently? more peacefully? We will never know!!! What we do know is we are free to have differences of opinion and I applaud that very loudly!!

absolutely no benefit to the US? What is oil? What country in the Middle East theater has more oil reserves than any other in the world. I could be wrong here, but I believe it is IRAQ!! And like it or not we are dependent on foreign oil. Do I like that? NO I DO NOT! However, I can not in one fell swoop change that dependence, so until we do I support us liberating a country where many human atrocities have occurred and which has used oil as a weapon against those who could not stand against them.

I do thing President Bush is doing the right thing and I KNOW WE ARE IN FOR A LONG HARD FIGHT AND NOT JUST IN IRAQ!! I do believe it has to be done to make this world a better place for ALL TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR!!

Don't get me wrong here. I am not a war monger, far from it. I HATE WAR AND WHAT IT DOES!!! UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS A NECESSARY EVIL if we are ever to have STABLE PEACE ANYWHERE ON THIS PLANET. Oxymoron you say? Sure it is, BUT IT IS IMO AN UNFORTUNATE TRUTH, and I stand on the side of our President.

[Guest]

absolutely no benefit to the US? What is oil? What country in the Middle East theater has more oil reserves than any other in the world. I could be wrong here, but I believe it is IRAQ!! And like it or not we are dependent on foreign oil. Do I like that? NO I DO NOT! However, I can not in one fell swoop change that dependence, so until we do I support us liberating a country where many human atrocities have occurred and which has used oil as a weapon against those who could not stand against them.

That's it! The other "freedom" stories are just bla bla bla to cover hears and shut eyes.
There are billions (read well: billions) whose lifes are in danger everyday for what? You know what? they do not have enough to eat, a simple cold kill them, no water.
Tell me where are and when we give our generous helps, our be so kind with our neighbours! We just exploit them. period.

WWII? What means WWII? That was a war against someone who INVADED many other countries! Who is invading Iraq now? Who was Saddam attacking, to justify a counter invasion?
Why US does not apply the same to Saudi Arabia?
Why US can misbehave in Latin America, being proven guilty and go on as nothing has happened?
Why US can train terrorists in its own territory, and invade others because of terrorism?

Let's call this war for what it is: oil control and revenge.
Terrorism? We are more in danger now than ever.

[stormchazer]

absolutely no benefit to the US? What is oil? What country in the Middle East theater has more oil reserves than any other in the world. I could be wrong here, but I believe it is IRAQ!! And like it or not we are dependent on foreign oil. Do I like that? NO I DO NOT! However, I can not in one fell swoop change that dependence, so until we do I support us liberating a country where many human atrocities have occurred and which has used oil as a weapon against those who could not stand against them.

That's it! The other "freedom" stories are just bla bla bla to cover hears and shut eyes.
There are billions (read well: billions) whose lifes are in danger everyday for what? You know what? they do not have enough to eat, a simple cold kill them, no water.
Tell me where are and when we give our generous helps, our be so kind with our neighbours! We just exploit them. period.

WWII? What means WWII? That was a war against someone who INVADED many other countries! Who is invading Iraq now? Who was Saddam attacking, to justify a counter invasion?
Why US does not apply the same to Saudi Arabia?
Why US can misbehave in Latin America, being proven guilty and go on as nothing has happened?
Why US can train terrorists in its own territory, and invade others because of terrorism?

Let's call this war for what it is: oil control and revenge.
Terrorism? We are more in danger now than ever.

Care to back up any of these statements with facts? Please state one example where we invaded a country and took there resources. Gas prices increased in the states last week. If we are stealing all that oil, the how did that happen?

There are billions (read well: billions) whose lifes are in danger everyday for what? You know what? they do not have enough to eat, a simple cold kill them, no water.
Tell me where are and when we give our generous helps, our be so kind with our neighbours! We just exploit them. period.

The US gives more Aid then any...ANY other Nation in the World. Below is graphs of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in US dollars. This is the UN designation for Aid set forth in UN agreements.

Why US can misbehave in Latin America, being proven guilty and go on as nothing has happened?

What proof? The CIA has been admonished and placed under tighter controls by Congress for its actions in Guatemala. Any other examples?

Why US does not apply the same to Saudi Arabia?

We sent troops to Saudi Arabia when Saddam invaded Iraq (Oh he did invade other countries in answer to your WW II statement). Yes to protect the oil supply which we and the EU have always stated is a matter of National Security. Saudi Arabia is a troubling country for us but one at this time we are trying to handle diplomatically. Unlike your claim, we do not chose to invade a country on a whim or without what we feel is National Security interest. If we were all out for the oil, we would have invaded Saudi Arabia or others during the 70's oil crisis or today. Who would stop us?

Why US can train terrorists in its own territory, and invade others because of terrorism?

Examples of terrorist the US is sponsoring? We just put to death the Oklahoma bomber (Which the EU protested). Caught and our prosecuting Eric Rudolph on suspicion of bombing the Atlanta Olympics and abortion bombings. There have been poorly designed but arrest at Waco, Ruby Ridge of suspected domestic terrorist. Don't make outlandish statements without facts please.

Terrorism? We are more in danger now than ever.

So we were safer in the 90's when the US used diplomacy mover forceful action. We had a President who was very reluctant to use the military and did only in direct response to actions by Iraq and Afghan. (Dubious action.) We did hit a medical facility due to poor intel. (We are paying Sudan reperations for that error by the way.) During that period we were attacked at W the World Trade Center, our embassies, in Somalia, and the Cole to name a few. Boy were we safer...whew!

Let's call this war for what it is: oil control and revenge.

I think I answered your weak oil charge, but as for revenge....I can live with that. Please don't let your dislike of our country cloud the facts.

[Guest]

ehm... ca u explain to me the secon graphic?

We sent troops to Saudi Arabia when Saddam invaded Iraq (Oh he did invade other countries in answer to your WW II statement). Yes to protect the oil supply which we and the EU have always stated is a matter of National Security. Saudi Arabia is a troubling country for us but one at this time we are trying to handle diplomatically. Unlike your claim, we do not chose to invade a country on a whim or without what we feel is National Security interest. If we were all out for the oil, we would have invaded Saudi Arabia or others during the 70's oil crisis or today. Who would stop us?

Correct if I am wrong, but Saudi Arabia is one of the most supporter, financially speaking, of AlQaeda. Now war on terror should fight them all...

Examples of terrorist the US is sponsoring? We just put to death the Oklahoma bomber (Which the EU protested). Caught and our prosecuting Eric Rudolph on suspicion of bombing the Atlanta Olympics and abortion bombings. There have been poorly designed but arrest at Waco, Ruby Ridge of suspected domestic terrorist. Don't make outlandish statements without facts please.

Not only sponsoring, training them!!! I'm sure you know the school of Americas at Fort benning...

And, for your culture, pay a visit here
http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm

[j]

urrrrghhhh..........*%&##**^$

Fact - The worst day so far for casualties, has been less than the "best" day for casualties during the Vietnam War.

Let's put things in perspective for all those who think this War is such a waste. Suppose things were reversed. You are now the Iraqi innocent person, and in the next room your wife is being raped repeatedly while the children are tied in chairs and forced to watch. Outside, your brother is having his hands chopped off. You are next, and they have decided to be kind to you and only push you off the top of a 4 story building.

I think that anybody that can label this War an "atrocity", can't possibly have a sympathetic bone in their body. Perhaps they would be better off over there in Iraq or Afghanistan fighting for the other side, since they feel we are so wrong!

[Guest]

J, the things you mention happen everyday everywhere, so what? let's declare war to the world entire

[j]

BS paola!

The things I mention are...oops excuse me, WERE a way of life in Iraq. Yes...those things happen all over the world, and if resources permitted, the US, being the compassionate peace loving people that we are, would take action wherever these crimes against humanity were taking place. But...we can only do so much and we have to put National Security first.

Your attitude is so typical of the "Hate America crowd".

[GalvestonDuck]

ehm... ca u explain to me the secon graphic?

GNI = gross national income. If I'm understanding it correctly, the graph shows the amount of development aid money contributed as a percentage of the gross national income.

[Guest]

Dear Jane, my attitude is: I keep my eyes open and my mind connected, not drinking everything they say just because it's what I wanna hear.

you should wonder why America, the place of freedom and where all dreams come true is so hated worldwide.

BTW, I don't hate America, I hate a war so precisely directed to a precise target, that is not the target

[stormchazer]

ehm... ca u explain to me the secon graphic?

We sent troops to Saudi Arabia when Saddam invaded Iraq (Oh he did invade other countries in answer to your WW II statement). Yes to protect the oil supply which we and the EU have always stated is a matter of National Security. Saudi Arabia is a troubling country for us but one at this time we are trying to handle diplomatically. Unlike your claim, we do not chose to invade a country on a whim or without what we feel is National Security interest. If we were all out for the oil, we would have invaded Saudi Arabia or others during the 70's oil crisis or today. Who would stop us?

Correct if I am wrong, but Saudi Arabia is one of the most supporter, financially speaking, of AlQaeda. Now war on terror should fight them all...

Examples of terrorist the US is sponsoring? We just put to death the Oklahoma bomber (Which the EU protested). Caught and our prosecuting Eric Rudolph on suspicion of bombing the Atlanta Olympics and abortion bombings. There have been poorly designed but arrest at Waco, Ruby Ridge of suspected domestic terrorist. Don't make outlandish statements without facts please.

Not only sponsoring, training them!!! I'm sure you know the school of Americas at Fort benning...

And, for your culture, pay a visit here
http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm

ehm... ca u explain to me the secon graphic?

Ahem...yes...that would be the percent of our GDP that is given in AID. If you were to adjust that taken into account yearly payments that we were due but canceled it would be 0.40%. I figured you would prefer to see the one tree in the forest but you can still not argue that this country gives more then the bottom 14 countries combined.

http://www.zmag.org/chomsky/index.cfm

Hmm...I could have picked facts from the most radical, American sites to refute Mr Chomsky. See he is a peacnik meaning he supports anything but intervention. He points out some refuted and some correct mistakes this country has made over the years. The difference is we put ours out for everyone to see and criticize. We act on them and make reperations. I never said we are perfect.

It always goes back to envy. We as Americans chose to act. You chose to complain and berate us. If Rome were bobed and thousands killed, we would send aid. The EU sends condoleneces and then criticizes every response we make.

Correct if I am wrong, but Saudi Arabia is one of the most supporter, financially speaking, of AlQaeda. Now war on terror should fight them all...

Some are but to use your method it would mean we should give them a big hug and say we are sorry for being the greatest country in the world.

Not only sponsoring, training them!!! I'm sure you know the school of Americas at Fort benning...

Yep...I have argued against it on many occasions but lets get something straight. It teaches different anti-insurgent techniques like those against terrorist groups. It also teaches human rights and defeat of totalitarian regimes. Yes there were those who turned that training to bad use. It did not teach people to hijack airliners, blow up hotels or markets with innocent people shopping. I guess its like blaming Germany of WWI for training Hitler or Italy's schools for training Mussilini. Here is a more objective view of the good and bad of the training facility.

http://www.ciponline.org/facts/soa.htm

Any objective facts? I got mine from the UN.[/b]

[stormchazer]

Dear Jane, my attitude is: I keep my eyes open and my mind connected, not drinking everything they say just because it's what I wanna hear.

you should wonder why America, the place of freedom and where all dreams come true is so hated worldwide.

BTW, I don't hate America, I hate a war so precisely directed to a precise target, that is not the target

Your mind is hopelessy full of anti-US rhetoric. The war in Iraq ia all about terrorism.

The Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iraq-al Qaeda link comes in focus
By Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published December 1, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fall of Baghdad has produced new evidence to buttress the Bush administration's prewar contention that Saddam Hussein's regime and Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda had a long history of contacts.
The most conclusive evidence comes in a highly detailed list of intelligence reports revealed last month in the Weekly Standard. Senior Iraqis were said to have traveled to Sudan in the mid-1990s to teach bin Laden's operatives how to make sophisticated truck bombs.
Terrorists subsequently used such bombs to hit targets in Saudi Arabia and at two U.S. embassies in Africa.
The new intelligence reports are at odds with a June report by the United Nations' terrorism committee, which said it had found no links between Iraq and al Qaeda.
President Bush justified, in part, toppling Saddam on the grounds he aided terror groups. Mr. Bush argued that a nexus between terrorists and a country such as Iraq that has produced and used weapons of mass destruction (WMD) could one day result in a catastrophic attack on America.
"We do have solid evidence of the presence in Iraq of al Qaeda members, including some that have been in Baghdad," Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld declared in September 2002 when he and Gen. Tommy Franks were making war plans.
A month later, CIA Director George J. Tenet sent a letter to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence saying new evidence of the al Qaeda-Saddam relationship was "evolving."
He wrote: "We have solid reporting of senior-level contacts between Iraq and al Qaeda going back a decade. ... We have credible reporting that al Qaeda leaders sought contacts in Iraq who could help them acquire WMD capabilities."
Soon after the war, the picture began to become clearer. The U.S. collected considerable evidence that Abu Musaab Zarqawi, a top al Qaeda planner who fled Afghanistan as the Taliban regime was ousted, moved in and out of Iraq and met with officials in Baghdad.
Saddam never moved against a huge al Qaeda presence on his own territory -- the headquarters of Ansar al-Islam in northern Iraq. This radical Kurdish group has ties to al Qaeda officials in Afghanistan. The U.S. smashed the camp in the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Abu Abbas, the Palestinian terrorist wanted by the United States and Italy, lived a comfortable life in Baghdad under Saddam's regime. Members of his gang took over the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro and shot Leon Klinghoffer, a Jewish American, and pushed him and his wheelchair overboard. U.S. commandos captured Abu Abbas shortly after Baghdad fell.
But the most detailed picture of the Baghdad-al Qaeda nexus comes in a letter, held as top secret, that was leaked to the Weekly Standard. The letter was signed by Douglas Feith, undersecretary of defense for policy, and sent to the Senate Intelligence Committee in response to its questions.
Mr. Feith had testified before the Senate committee in closed session last July. The committee's chairman and vice chairman, Sens. Pat Roberts, Kansas Republican, and John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia Democrat, asked Mr. Feith to supply the intelligence reports on which his testimony was based.
Mr. Feith responded in September with the letter listing 50 intelligence reports from the CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.
The reports are from detained Iraqis and communications intercepts. According to the intelligence report, as revealed by the Weekly Standard, the letter states:
•Between 1992 and 1995, Sudanese strongman Hassan al-Turabi set up a number of meetings between former Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS) Deputy Director Faruq Hijazi and Ayman al-Zawahri, bin Laden's closest adviser. Other IIS-al Qaeda meetings occurred in Pakistan. Sometimes, al Qaeda members would visit Baghdad.
•Brig. Salim al-Ahmed, an IIS bomb maker, traveled to bin Laden's farm in Sudan and gave instructions on how to build sophisticated explosives. He was observed at the farm in the fall of 1995 and again in July 1996, the year bin Laden left Sudan and established a new base in Afghanistan.
•Mani abd-al-Rashid, IIS director, went to the farm to meet bin Laden during the same time period.
"The Iraqi intelligence chief and two other IIS officers met at bin Laden's farm and discussed bin Laden's request for IIS technical assistance in: a) making letter and parcel bombs; b) making bombs which could be placed on aircraft and detonated by changes in barometric pressure; and c) making false passport."
Bin Laden asked that al-Ahmed, who is skilled in making car bombs, stay at the farm after al-Rashid departed.
•Al-Zawahri traveled to Baghdad in February 1998 and met with one of Iraq's vice presidents.
"The goal of the visit was to arrange for coordination between Iraq and bin Laden and establish camps in an-Nasiriyah and Iraqi Kurdistan under the leadership of Abdul Aziz," the intelligence report states.
•In late 1998, Iraq sent an intelligence official to Afghanistan to seek close ties with bin Laden and the ruling Taliban.
"The source reported that the Iraqi regime was trying to broaden its cooperation with al Qaeda." A senior Iraqi intelligence official met with the Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar. Thereafter, bin Laden hosted a series of meetings with Iraqi officials in Pakistan.
•After the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, two al Qaeda operatives traveled to Iraq for training in chemical and biological weapons.
Much of the information in Mr. Feith's letter was compiled by a special team he assembled in 2002. Their job was to study a decade of raw and confirmed intelligence on any ties between al Qaeda and Iraq, and put it in one report.
The team was disbanded in the fall of 2002 after the report was filed. Mr. Rumsfeld was briefed, as were other administration officials, including Mr. Tenet.
It was at this point that Mr. Tenet, Mr. Rumsfeld and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice began making stronger, more authoritative statements on the al Qaeda-Baghdad connection. Some of their statements are reflected in the recent Feith letter to the Senate committee.
"This is a story that is unfolding, and it is getting clear, and we're learning more," Miss Rice was quoted as saying. "We know that several of the detainees, in particular some high-ranking detainees, have said that Iraq provided some training to al Qaeda in chemical-weapons development."




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