ABCNews Has More Saddam Documents

Including the Healing Iraq document (he translated it just fine), but with new docs about WMD's.

Here's ABCNews' wiggling regarding the linking of Osama and Saddam in one document:

(Editor's Note: The controversial claim that Osama bin Laden was cooperating with Saddam Hussein is an ongoing matter of intense debate. While the assertions contained in this document clearly support the claim, the sourcing is questionable — i.e. an unnamed Afghan "informant" reporting on a conversation with another Afghan "consul." The date of the document — four days after 9/11 — is worth noting but without further corroboration, this document is of limited evidentiary value.)

What they say is true, but they also seem to strongly undervalue the importance of this document. While the document does not, in fact, outright prove what it purports to prove, it certainly moves the likelihood from "not cooperating" to "cooperating with an eye to terrorize the US."

This describes an IIS document naming Al Qaeda terrorists in Iraq (pre-war), including al-Zarqawi himself. Check out ABCNews' helpful spin:

"Al Qaeda Presence in Iraq"

Document dated August 2002

A number of correspondences to check rumors that some members of al Qaeda organization have entered Iraq. Three letters say this information cannot be confirmed. The letter on page seven, however, says that information coming from "a trustworthy source" indicates that subjects who are interested in dealing with al Qaeda are in Iraq and have several passports.

The letter seems to be coming from or going to Trebil, a town on the Iraqi-Jordanian border. Follow up on the presence of those subjects is ordered, as well as comparison of their pictures with those of Jordanian subjects living in Iraq. (This may be referring to pictures of Abu Musaab al Zarqawi and another man on pages 4-6) The letter also says tourist areas, including hotels and rented apartments, should be searched.

(Editor's note: This document indicates that the Iraqis were aware of and interested in reports that members of al Qaeda were present in Iraq in 2002. The document does not support allegations that Iraq was colluding with al Qaeda.)

It does support such allegations, dickheads. It just doesn't outright prove them.

Thanks to Jack Straw.

posted by Ace at 02:29 PM

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