[Williams]

I do not believe the administration ever claimed a specific Saddam/ Al Queda operation. They spoke of the danger of regimes like Saddam’s someday transferring the world’s most dangerous weapons to the world’s worst terror groups. This was based on a common hostility toward the United States.

[tobyhill]

You’re right and the State Dept doc one month before the invasion is the extent of connection anyone claimed.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2003/17823.htm