WASHINGTON - A published report says an internal probe by the U.S. Defense Department found there was no direct cooperation between the al-Qaida terrorist network and Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’ government.Friday’s edition of The Washington Post says military officials reached the conclusion based on interviews with Saddam and two former aides, as well as documents seized by U.S. forces after Saddam was toppled from power in 2003.

The report by Pentagon acting inspector general Thomas Gimble backs earlier assertions made by the intelligence community before the U.S.-led invasion that Iraq and al-Qaida had no operational ties. Gimble’s declassified report released Thursday is a follow-up to one he issued in February criticizing senior civilian military officials over their intelligence activities about Iraq conducted before the war.

In the earlier report, Gimble said the Office of Special Plans produced “alternative intelligence assessments” generally at odds with the U.S. intelligence community. The office, run by former Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith during President Bush’s first term, produced a report in 2002 alleging strong ties between al-Qaida and Saddam. Gimble called Feith’s actions “inappropriate” but not illegal.

Source:  VOA News