According to a declassified CIA analytic report on March 10, 2003: “[Redacted] Iraq sought Sudanese help to establish contacts with Islamic extremist groups, including al-Qa’ida [redacted] While Iraqi President Saddam Husayn and Bin Ladin differ ideologically, we judge that the Iraq-al-Qa’ida relationship in Sudan showed that both wanted to monitor the other as well as to keep the door open to cooperation.”
– CIA, “Al-Qa’ida in Sudan, 1992-96: Old School Ties Lead Down Dangerous Paths,” (CIA Analytic Report), The Central Intelligence Agency’s 9/11 File:, The National Security Archive, March 10, 2003