Kerry Campaign Fact Sheet: No Direct Link Between Iraq and September 11th

[Khephra]

Kerry Campaign Fact Sheet: No Direct Link Between Iraq and September 11th Attacks

9/13/2004 11:35:00 AM


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To: National Desk, Political Reporter

Contact: Chad Clanton or Phil Singer, 202-464-2800, both of Kerry-Edwards 2004; http://www.johnkerry.com

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Kerry-Edwards 2004 today released the following:

MR. CHENEY, ANSWER THE QUESTION!

"Dick Cheney and George Bush have tried to mislead the American people about a direct link between Iraq and September 11th. They are playing the politics of fear to cover up their failed policies on the economy and Iraq. Yesterday, Secretary Powell said he sees no direct link between Saddam Hussein and what happened on September 11th. Dick Cheney needs to answer the question: Who's telling the truth -- you or Colin Powell?" said Kerry campaign spokesman Chad Clanton.

FACTS:

SECRETARY COLIN POWELL SEES NO DIRECT LINK BETWEEN IRAQ AND SEPTEMBER 11TH: Yesterday, Powell said he had "seen nothing hat makes a direct connection between Saddam Hussein and that awful regime and what happened on 9/11." (Washington Post, 9/13/04)

VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY SEES DIRECT LINK BETWEEN IRAQ AND SEPTEMBER 11TH. (Cheney) went on to explain reasons for the war in Iraq, including Saddam Hussein's defiance of United Nations resolutions. "The bottom line is we're there for the safety and security of the nation and our friends and allies around the world," he said. "We didn't do anything to provoke the attack of 9/11. We were attacked by the terrorists and we responded forcefully and aggressively." (AP, 9/10/04)

MORE CHENEY: "There's been enormous confusion over the Iraq and al-Qaeda connection, Gloria. First of all, on the question of -- of whether or not there was any kind of a relationship, there was a relationship. It's been testified to. The evidence is overwhelming. It goes back to the early '90s. It involves whole series of contacts, high level contacts between Osama bin Laden and Iraqi intelligence officials. It involves senior officials, a brigadier general and the Iraqi intelligence service going to the Sudan before -- before bin Laden ever went to Afghanistan to train them in bomb-making, helping teach them how to forge documents. Mr. Zarqawi, who is in Baghdad today, is an al-Qaeda associate who took refuge in Baghdad, found sanctuary and safe harbor there before we ever launched into Iraq. There's clearly been a relationship." (CNBC "Capital Report," 6/18/04)

Paid for by Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.

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http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=36112