[justshutupandtakeit]

Your friend sounds like he has missed the boat wrt understanding Iraq. Saddam did not have any problem with AQ within Iraq and, in fact, aided them and allowed them to set up shop to fight the Kurds in Northern Iraq. Nor were the killing fields used to dispose of AQ sypathizers or members.
Most of the victims were Shiite which were the major concern of Saddam.

AQ never tried to overthrow Saddam. Where did he come up with that howler? Nor did either "hate" the other though mutual wariness certainly existed. AQ members were trained at Salman Pak though kept isolated from Iraqi intelligence and military elements as much as possible.

In addition the danger AQ poses for Americans in Iraq is wildly overstated and shows every indication of diminishing day by day. Recent attacks against the Shiites is evidence that it is failing to retain any power or to gain more. The recent letter showed just how desperate AQ is and its laments will not become less intense as days go by.

[azhenfud]

I repeat, as I said, I'm not agreeing my friend's POV was entirely correct, but it made me conclude NOT to expect "the smoking gun" proof on both issues, AQ and WMD.

Understood?