“In July 2002, [Secretary of Defense Donald] Rumsfeld had a one-word answer for reporters who asked whether Iraq had relationships with Al Qaeda terrorists: ‘Sure.’ In fact, an assessment issued that same month by the Defense Intelligence Agency (and confirmed weeks later by CIA Director [George] Tenet) found an absence of ‘compelling evidence demonstrating direct cooperation between the government of Iraq and Al Qaeda.’ “ [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Charles Lewis and Mark Reading-Smith, “False Pretenses,” The Center for Public Integrity, Jan. 23, 2008