Regarding a connection between Al Qaeda and Iraq, “One of the most persistent assertions, again arising from information provided by [Ahmed] Chalabi’s Iraqi National Congress, is that [Iraq’s ambassador to Turkey] Mr. [Faruk al-] Hijazi was dispatched by Hussein in [December] 1998 to meet with Osama bin Laden and offer him and his supporters in Al Qaeda a safe haven in Iraq. Mr. Hussein was said to be so impressed with Al Qaeda’s bombing strikes on American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that he wanted to take control of the group’s operations to serve Iraqi interests.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Patrick E. Tyler and John Tagliabue, “Czechs Confirm Iraqi Agent Met with Terror Ringleader,” The New York Times, Oc. 27, 2001