Saddam/Al-Qaida link found in released prewar Iraqi documents

For those of you who want to know...and for those of you who may speak Arabic or know someone who does, ODNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence) have released the confiscated documents from prewar Iraq. More and more will be posted in the months ahead. Some translations are available.

Here's the story:

US releases confiscated prewar Iraqi document

Here's the link to the Operation Iraqi Freedom Documents:

Operation Iraqi Freedom Documents.

Here's just one letter (written by a member of Saddam's Al Mukabarat, reporting on a pre-9/11 convo between an Iraqi intelligence source and a Taliban Afghani consul).

Here's the translation:

In the Name of God the Merciful
Presidency of the Republic

Intelligence Apparatus

To the respectful Mr. M.A.M

Subject: Information

Our source in Afghanistan No 11002 (for information about him see attachment 1) provided us with information that that Afghani Consul Ahmad Dahestani (for information about him see attachment 2) told him the following:

1. That Osama bin Laden and the Taliban in Afghanistan are in contact with Iraq and it that previously a group from Taliban and Osama Bin Laden group visited Iraq.

2. That America has proof that the government of Iraq and Osama bin Laden group have shown cooperation to hit target within America.

3. That in case it is proven the involvement of Osama bin Laden group and the Taliban in these destructive operations it is possible that American will conduct strikes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

4. That the Afghani Consul heard about the subject of Iraq relation with Osama Bin Laden group during his stay in Iran.

5. In light of this we suggest to write to the Commission of the above information.

Please view Yours With regards

Signature:, Initials : A.M.M, 15/9/2001

Foot note: Immediately send to the Chairman of Commission

Signature:.

I just find this very interesting and thought I'd share it with anyone else who does. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan lobbied for the data's release and said it was important that the public be able to view it. "We're hoping to unleash the power of the Internet, unleash the power of the blogosphere, to get through these documents and give us a better understanding of what was going on in Iraq before the war," he said.

One thing I love about America -- we have the freedom to be able to view such intelligence documents and "help" out. Sometimes one person CAN make a difference.

Michelle