Over at The Corner, Michael Leeden responds to my question about when, if ever, the Bush Administration claimed Iraq had an “operational” relationship with al Qaeda. He writes:
I should have been clearer. I take “operational” to mean that the two entities collaborated on attacks, that is, worked together to pull off an “operation.” Did the Bush Administration ever directly make such a claim, as so many reporters now seem to imply by suggesting that a report that found no evidence of an “operational relationship” is a repudiation of administration claims? Again, it’s possible that they did say this and I just missed it. FWIW, I would put the Zarqawi evidence in the category of “providing sanctuary” or “safe haven.” And I don’t think anyone disputes the fact that Zarqawi transited in and out of Iran with ease.
