On February 12, 2003, CIA Director George Tenet testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Regarding al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi and his cohorts, Tenet said: ” ‘…there are 116 people in jail in France, in Spain, in Italy, and in Great Britain who received training and guidance out of a network run by an individual [al Zarqawi] who is sitting in Baghdad today and supported by two dozen of his associates. …Iraq has provided a safe haven in a permissive environment for these people to operate. …we also know from very reliable information that there’s been some transfers, training in chemical and biologicals from the Iraqis to al Qaeda.’ ”
– Stephen F. Hayes, The Connection, Pages 170-171