Now that the surge is succeeding beyond Obama's "wildest dreams" (er, nightmares?), the Democrats and their allies in the mainstream media have predictably turned down the temperature on the Iraq war debate. But as we move closer to election day, we should fully expect that Obama will reiterate his central argument for why he -- and not McCain -- has the judgment for the job, i.e., Obama's opposition to the Iraq war. Put aside for the moment that Biden -- who was selected to sure up Obama's foreign policy credentials -- vigorously supported the Iraq war. Also put aside that Obama's "courageous" opposition to the war was actually a matter of political expediency, as the New Republic has reported.
Let's address the matter head on. The Democrats' essential argument on Iraq is that Saddam had absolutely nothing to do with Bin Laden. But what this argument overlooks is that Saddam offered Bin Laden safe haven in Iraq in late 1998 and/or 1999 -- the very timeframe during which 9/11 attacks were being planned. In fact, that was the conclusion of the 9/11 Commission Report, although it was all but ignored by the mainstream media. Here is the relevant excerpt from the 9/11 Report:
In 1998, Iraq was under intensifying U.S. pressure, which culminated in a series of large air attacks in December. Similar meetings between Iraqi officials and Bin Ladin or his aides may have occurred in 1999 during a period of some reported strains with the Taliban. According to the reporting, Iraqi officials offered Bin Ladin a safe haven in Iraq.
So the next time you hear a "progressive" squawk that there was "no relationship" between Bin Laden and Saddam, make sure you hit 'em with the facts.
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In the time period between the first gulf war and 9/11 OBL issued two fatwas. In both the he named as the primary reason for war against the West, and the USA in particular the sanctions against Iraq. To me that indicates at least in the mind of the worlds foremost expert on Al Quida there is a major tie between Iraq and the 9/11 attacks.
"In both the he named as the primary reason for war against the West, and the USA in particular the sanctions against Iraq."
Actually, Bin Laden identified the US military presence in Saudi Arabia as his primary grievance. You are correct, though, that OBL did mention Iraq. Even so, I was suggesting not that Saddam had a role in 9/11, but that he indisputably had a "relationship" with OBL.
Here's the full quote from the 9-11 Report:
According to the reporting, Iraqi officials offered Bin Ladin a safe haven in Iraq. Bin Ladin declined, apparently judging that his circumstances in Afghanistan
remained more favorable than the Iraqi alternative.
Surely this is a thin reed on which to claim that the war in Iraq had anything to do with 9-11.
Better yet, here is the full paragraph from the 9-11 Report:
Similar meetings between Iraqi officials and Bin Ladin or his aides may have occurred in 1999 during a period of some reported strains with the Taliban. According to the reporting, Iraqi officials offered Bin Ladin a safe haven in Iraq. Bin Ladin declined, apparently judging that his circumstances in Afghanistan remained more favorable than the Iraqi alternative. The reports describe friendly contacts and indicate some common themes in both sides’ hatred of the United States. But to date 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.
Again, I don't think the 9-11 Report can be credibly cited as supporting a link between Saddam an d 9-11.
I did not cite the 9/11 Report as establishing a link between Saddam and 9/11; I cited it as establishing a link between Saddam and Bin Laden. The fact that Saddam asked Bin Laden to move to Iraq establishes this "link" beyond any question. And there is additional evidence in the surrounding paragraphs of the Report showing that Bin Laden also reached out to Saddam.
In any event, part of the reason we invaded Iraq was to eliminate safe havens for terrorists like Bin Laden. You will recall that Bin Laden had been welcomed with open arms by Afghanistan, and before that, the Sudan. Well, Saddam, too, had asked Bin Laden to set up shop in Iraq, and that point should not be overlooked.
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