OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Al Qaeda Connection, Zarqawi, Continues to Harm America

Date: May 12, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Foreign Affairs


AL QAEDA CONNECTION, ZARQAWI, CONTINUES TO HARM AMERICA -- (House of Representatives - May 12, 2004)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the world was shocked by a video depicting the savage beheading of an American civilian by Iraq's al Qaeda connection, Abu Musab al Zarqawi.

It is time to put an end to the intentional denial that al Qaeda had no connection with Saddam Hussein. Secretary of State Colin Powell warned the U.N. in February 2003 that after the victory in Afghanistan, al Qaeda operatives set up new camps in Iraq, led by Osama bin Laden's lieutenant, Zarqawi, who was allowed free operation in Baghdad by Saddam Hussein.

Since then, Zarqawi has led al Qaeda within Iraq to bomb the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad and to attempt the killing last month of 80,000 in Jordan with chemical weapons. Additionally, in his letter to al Qaeda leadership, Zarqawi admitted to masterminding the daily attacks in Iraq.

We are fighting al Qaeda terrorists in Iraq as part of the global war on terror. Yet, despite our enemy's savagery, our brave troops will fight and win this war to protect American families.

In conclusion, may God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

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