London: There is "no current link" between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and
international terror network al-Qaida, a leaked British intelligence report has
revealed.
The classified document, written by British Defence intelligence staff three weeks
ago says there has been contact between the two sides in the past but assessed that
any fledgling relationship foundered due to mistrust and incompatible ideologies, the
BBC reported on February 5.
The top secret report was sent to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other senior
members of the government, it said.
US President George Bush has accused Iraq of being linked to al-Qaida and said those
ties "portend a danger for America and for Britain, anybody who loves freedom."
British Prime Minister Tony Blair speaking at the House of Commons last week said
Britain had no evidence linking Iraq to al-Qaida "in circumstances concerning the
September 11 attack".
"We do know of links between al-Qaida and Iraq. We cannot be sure of the exact extent
of those links," Blair had said.
The report also says that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden views Iraq's ruling Ba'ath
party as running contrary to his religion, calling it an "apostate regime".
"His aims are in ideological conflict with present day Iraq," it said.
PTI
