According to a Knight-Ridder News Service article on October 5, 2004: ” ‘A new CIA assessment undercuts the White House’s claim that Saddam Hussein maintained ties to al Qaeda, saying there’s no conclusive evidence that the regime harbored Osama bin Laden associate Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The CIA review, which officials said Monday [October 4] was requested some months ago by Vice President Dick Cheney, is the latest assessment that calls into question one of President Bush’s key justifications for last year’s U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.’ ”
– Stephen F. Hayes, Cheney, Page 457