QUESTION: What about all this talk last night that Condi engaged in on PBS about connections between Iraq and al Qaeda? That's new. I mean, she went further than you folks have ever gone before. Can you clarify some of what she was saying? I mean, how do we know this? Why do we suspect this?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, we know it because some of the information we have comes from detainees, and in particular some very high-ranking detainees. And -- Is this in the Roberts/Rockafeller Report? NOPE
QUESTION: Zubaydah?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I'm not going to indicate exactly who. Since -- Since I am lying through my teeth I dont know how to answer that really
QUESTION: It doesn't matter; they're in custody?..
MR. FLEISCHER: Here's what we know, and here's -- let me try to elaborate on what Condi said, or help you understand what Condi said.
Since Operation Enduring Freedom, we have solid evidence of the presence in Iraq of al Qaeda members, including some members who have been in Baghdad. And the relationship between Iraqi officials to those al Qaeda members remains unclear, but we know it's there. We have solid reporting of senior-level contacts between al Qaeda and Iraqi officials going back a decade, and, as Condi said, of chemical and biological agent training. Yeah thats in the report too right?
Reports of such cooperation have increased since 1998. We know that al Qaeda have found refuge in Iraq. There is credible reporting that al Qaeda leaders sought contacts in Iraq to acquire chemical and other weapons of mass destruction capabilities.
QUESTION: But today, the President stopped just short of saying that they were linked. Is there a reason he did that? I mean, are they linked, in his mind? I mean, are they -- there are -- Now the lie gets sticky
MR. FLEISCHER: I'd have to take a look at the verbatim of how the President said it. But we're all saying the same thing: al Qaeda and Iraq are too close for comfort, in terms of some of these activities that we've talked about. They all lied and knew they were telling the same lie?
But I want to underscore, the case the President is making about the need for regime change is not directly tied to anything involving al Qaeda. It's tied to Saddam Hussein's history of developing weapons on his own. The President continues to have fears about what Iraq's activities with al Qaeda could lead to. But his case is much broader than that. Just in case I get caught lying
QUESTION: Well, what are these links that go back a decade? I mean, who are we talking about?
MR. FLEISCHER: These are links between al Qaeda and Baghdad. Oh those links... right... OK
QUESTION: But what are the links? I mean --
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, Condi -- Oh blame it on the colored girl....
QUESTION: -- has Baghdad supplied al Qaeda with training, munitions, supplies, whatever, that has allowed them to carry out attacks against the United States?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, as Condi said last night -- I cite her words -- "Iraq has provided some training to al Qaeda in chemical weapons development." I didnt tell that lie... but its damn good aint it?
QUESTION: But do we know that that expertise has ever been used in a terrorist attack against -- not only the U.S., but anybody?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the point is to make certain that it's not. Why is Iraq providing training to terrorists that could put anybody at risk? Nice touch... thats pretty scary and stuff
Break in Press Briefing
QUESTION: Yes, let me come back to the al Qaeda connection. So, Condi is saying that these contacts go back more than a decade; that they are continual, they are ongoing; they're involved in Baghdad, they're involved in chemical and biological weapons training. But still no evidence of a connection between Iraq and 9/11?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct.{/q]
Lies after lies after lies... they knew they were lie's and couldnt back it up so they lied some more.... Geezus.
<EDIT FOR SPELLING> <OK, AND A HIGHLIGHT OR TWO>
How the fvck can all this speculative garbage carru so much wieght with this administration yet a breifing Saying "Al Qaeda intent on attacking in America" doesnt get any attention?
SHUX