http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/14/opinion/.../14FRI1.html?th

"Nothing would make it easier for President Bush to overcome the nation's doubts about going to war with Iraq than proof that Saddam Hussein is in league with Osama bin Laden. Talk about an axis of evil! In truth, however, there is little hard evidence of such a connection, and the administration should stop peddling that line to the American people. There are legitimate reasons to confront Iraq. Imagining a full-blown Baghdad chapter of Al Qaeda is not one of them."

and...

".....[There are] intriguing pieces of a puzzle, all pointing to Al Qaeda if Washington is right in characterizing Mr. Zarqawi as "an associate and collaborator of Osama bin Laden." But the picture is neither complete nor conclusive. Ansar al-Islam has its bases in the Kurdish-controlled area of Iraq, beyond the control of Saddam Hussein. Mr. Zarqawi, a Palestinian, fought alongside Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. But Washington has yet to establish publicly that he is an important figure in Al Qaeda or maintains active links with Mr. bin Laden. He probably could not have stayed for two months in Baghdad without the knowledge of the Iraqi government, but that does not demonstrate operational ties between him and Iraq."