No 10: Saddam let al-Qaida operate

[ze_dscherman]

Deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein did let al-Qaida operate out of Iraq, Downing Street insisted today.
A US report yesterday said there was no conclusive evidence of a link between the former Iraqi dictator and Osama bin Laden's terrorist group.

But Downing Street said Saddam had created "a permissive environment" for terrorists and al-Qaida operatives were in the country during his time in office.

No 10 said it was not claiming a direct link but a spokeswoman said: "The prime minister has always said Saddam created a permissive environment for terrorism and we know that the people affiliated to al-Qaida operated in Iraq during the regime.

"The prime minister always made it clear that Saddam's was a rogue state which threatened the security of the region and the world."

SNIP

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1240563,00.html

Just for the record ...

[tandot]

1. Al Qaida also operated in America for years...

we didn't have a direct link with them, but provided a "permissive environment"

Those idiots just can't admit their failures.

[PeaceProgProsp]

17. Perhaps with the knowledge of some shady right wingers with

power over the government. Which is probably a good reason to change regimes here in the US.

[kerrycrat2k4]

2. The little poodle

Just cant stop himself from spewing *'s bullshit propaganda, can he?

[gWbush is Mabus]

3. we know AlQueda operatives were in this country

so what?

is the U.S. a permissive environment?

[scared]

21. Not only in our country.........

But being trained by us...........in our flight schools. Now, if that is not a direct link I don't know what is.

[Spentastic]

4. Al Quaeda may well have operated

In the no fly zones provided by U.S and U.K.

Saddam had no control over those areas.

Permissive environment was created by the U.S and U.K.

I hate my government.

[papau]

5. Iraq permissive environment for terrorism area was in "US/Kurd controlled"

Saddam could not control that area!

I do love to warch them do the daily partial truth/lie!

:-)

[rooboy]

6. Didn't Atta train at the Pensacola Naval station? n/t

[punpirate]

7. "The prime minister has always said...

... Saddam created a permissive environment for terrorism and we know that the people affiliated to al-Qaida were in the country during his time in office."

No evidence. No proof. Tony's toast. Labor had better hitch up its collective pants and throw this jerk out, or they'll be out with him.

Tony's been salivating about a job with Carlyle ever since Bush wangled his way into office. Why doesn't he just quit and take the damned job and not take down the Labor Party with him?

Makes no damned sense at all. Bush is going down the toilet, and Tony's leash is wrapped around Bush's neck.

[qwertyMike]

8. Seems to me the 'permissive environment'

was the good ole US of A Tony.

And the UK

[kikiek]

9. Blair's butt is on the line just like Bush

I don't find "Downing Street" anymore credible than "Pennsylvania Ave". Hopefully his address won't be Downing Street for long.

[Jazzgirl]

10. Interesting how Downing St always comes back and echoes

*shrub and Cheney. They do it every time. It's like they always stay in synch with each other.

[Caution]

11. ummm didn't al-qaeda "operate" right here in the good ol US of A?

[mr_hat]

12. "During his time in office"? Good old Guardian.

[Fovea]

13. So did Britain, Germany, France and the Netherlands

Which do we occupy next?

[DinahMoeHum]

23. Pakistan and Spain, too.

Big F**king Deal.

:evilfrown:

[HuckleB]

14. Hmm. Time to invade Britain! Blair's permissiveness unleashed shoe bomber!

We'd better invade Britain. After all, they've been most permissive, allowing al-Qaida to operate within its borders, to raise funds for its activities and recruit new members. It was Tony Blair's permissiveness that unleashed the shoe bomber on the world, after all.

Blair is done. He has no shame. It's so very sad for a guy with so much going for him. Too bad he couldn't see through Georgie boy, and too bad he's got too much pride to say he made a mistake and move on.

[0007]

15. Blair & junior can produce enough shit to operate a gigantic

methane digester to provide enough energy to save the world.

I think this the plan that Cheney talks about!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

16. Tony Blair creates a 'permissive environment' for bullshit and lies.

[yellowcanine]

18. Saddam created a "permissive environment" for al-Qaida while he was

thinking about sometime, in the near future, certainly not later that 2010, beginning to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive strategic plan for programs to develop weapons of mass destruction.

[catmandu57]

19. It was their last weak thread

They'll be screaming that there was a link between saddam and al queda as they fall backwards into the abyss.

[daleo]

20. In his own way Blair can be a bigger liar that Bush/Cheney

And that is saying A LOT!

[bacchant]

22. Boy, I've really grown to hate that little fuck

The longer they perpetuate the bullshit, the more pathetic they become.

[muriel_volestrangler]

24. Link seems to go to a story about the oil pipelines now

Here's a link to the press briefing:

http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page5976.asp

"Asked if those Al Qaida affiliates operating in Iraq had been doing so with the tacit knowledge or active endorsement of the regime, the PMS said she understood that the questions being raised today were the result of a report released in the US by an independent Commission investigating the September 11 attacks. Consequently, matters directly relating to these issues should be put to those concerned. Put to her repeatedly that the Government had never suggested the existence of a direct link between Saddam and Al Qaida, the PMS agreed. She was simply making the point that the Prime Minister had always regarded Saddam's Iraq as a rogue state and that we had known that affiliates to Al Qaida had been operating in what had been a permissive regime. Asked why she was suggesting that there was a link between Saddam and Al Qaida when there wasn't one, the PMS said that she was doing no such thing. She was merely setting out what the parameters had been."

Sir Humphrey Appleby lives! Nice to see there's equal opportunity lying and evasion in Whitehall these days.

[killbotfactory]

25. Goddamnit

There were terrorists present in Iraq... but in an area controlled by the Kurds and bordering Iran, not under the control of Saddam, and in the no flyu zone. We could have taken them out at any time, but didn't because Bush had to have his stupid fucking war. God I hate these fucking people.