Tuesday October 5, 2004

Full text: Donald Rumsfeld's statement about his comment on links between Iraq and al-Qaida

A question I answered today at an appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations regarding ties between al-Qaida and Iraq regrettably was misunderstood.

I have acknowledged since September 2002 that there were ties between al-Qaida and Iraq. This assessment was based upon points provided to me by then CIA Director George Tenet to describe the CIA's understanding of the al-Qaida-Iraq relationship.

Today at the council, I even noted that when I'm in Washington, I pull out a piece of paper and say: "I don't know, because I'm not in that business, but I'll tell you what the CIA thinks," and I read it.

The CIA conclusions in that paper, which I discussed in a news conference as far back as September, 2002, note that:

· We do have solid evidence of the presence in Iraq of al-Qaida members, including some that have been in Baghdad.

· We have what we consider to be very reliable reporting of senior level contacts between Iraq and al-Qaida going back a decade, and of possible chemical and biological agent training.

· We have what we believe to be credible information that Iraq and al-Qaida have discussed safe haven opportunities in Iraq.

· We have what we consider to be credible evidence that al-Qaida leaders have sought contacts in Iraq who could help them acquire weapons of mass destruction capabilities.

· We do have one report indicating that Iraq provided unspecified training relating to chemical and/or biological matters for al-Qaida members.

I should also note that the 9/11 commission report described linkages between al-Qaida and Iraq as well.