“At a Defense Department briefing [on September 26, 2002], Defense Secretary [Donald] Rumsfeld discusses collaboration between Iraq and Al Qaeda: ‘We have what we believe to be credible information that Iraq and Al Qaeda have discussed safe haven opportunities in Iraq, reciprocal non-aggression discussions. We have what we consider to be credible evidence that Al Qaeda leaders have sought contacts in Iraq who could help them acquire weapon of–weapons of mass destruction capabilities. We do have–I believe it’s one report indicating that Iraq provided unspecified training relating to chemical and/or biological matters for Al Qaeda members. There is, I’m told, also some other information of varying degrees of reliability that supports that conclusion of their cooperation.’ ”
– Frank Rich, The Greatest Story Ever Sold, Pages 248-249