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Re: [casi] transcript of Blair interview with Paxman



I found this answer by Blair most interesting. A country with limited WMD
capability can only be a threat if it links up with terrorist organizations
such as Al Qa'ida. Forces are sent to the Gulf because Saddam is supposed to
be such a threat. But Blair argues below that Saddam may link up with Al
Qa'ida because Saddam faces a threat from possible military action.

Without a link to terrorist organizations it is hard to see how Saddam (if
he has some WMD) could be credible threat to Britain or the U.S.

Greetings,
Saibal

JEREMY PAXMAN: You know your defence intelligence assessment is that there
is currently no link between Baghdad and Al Qaeda.

TONY BLAIR: No they didn't say that what they said was which is absolutely
right is that historically al qaeda which wants these Arab states to become
religious states. That Al Qaeda obviously would regard Iraq as a secular
state and relations between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein would not have been
of any great historical importance, that is not to say in circumstances
where Iraq faces a threat from possible military action and Al Qaeda have
also been subject to action being pursued at international level they aren't
coming together and there is evidence that links the two. I've never
suggested that


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