MAJOR if true. Too early to tell. This is a new one and has all the earmarks of a trial balloon.
"trial balloon?"
If this is truth, why doesn't Bush just get on the air and make this public? Why does it have to be leaked to Ile Sole which is in turn quoted by AFP?
Indeed. Prior statements had Atta meeting with Iraqi Intelligence personnel in Europe. This is the first I have heard of a meeting in Iraq. But with Saddam?!! Wow!
I am reminded, however, that the earlier reports of Atta meeting with Iraqi agents were refuted, then downplayed, then re-stated. The whole thing was very murky. Could be problems with the confidence of intel. Very difficult to verify accounts, many axes to grind in that region, weakened intel structure during the Clinton administration.
Leads me to be hesitant to accept this revelation.