This seems very unlikely to me. Why did he enter the U.S. on a tourist visa to go to the same flight school used by one of the 9/11 hijackers, for recertification of his license to fly a 747? If it were all on the up and up, he would have gotten the proper visa.
I agree it is of concern WHY he fibbed about his purpose for visiting the U.S. Of course, he would have known that, had he volunteered the 'whole truth', he likely would not have been granted the tourist visa. While his actions are somewhat suspicious, my only point is that we not turn a blind eye to the possibility that he might truly hate Saddam for the blatant wife-stealing of his mother from his father (whom he possibly admires and loves deeply) by that true-blue, faithful Islamic servant of Allah: Sad-Dam Hussein!