Think Progress \u00bb FBI agent: Saddam viewed bin Laden as a threat.<\/p>\n
Last night, CBS\u2019 60 Minutes aired an interview with FBI agent George Piro, the man who was charged with interrogating Saddam Hussein over the course of seven months. Piro reported that he asked Saddam whether he had any relationship to Osama bin Laden. Saddam responded by saying he was \u201cwary\u201d of the 9\/11 mastermind and \u201cdidn\u2019t want associate\u201d with him. Moreover, Saddam viewed bin Laden \u201cas a threat to him and his regime.\u201d <\/p>\n
PELLEY: Among the most important questions for U.S. intelligence was whether Saddam was supporting al Qaeda as had been claimed by some in the Bush administration.<\/p>\n
PELLEY: What was his opinion of Osama Bin Laden?<\/p>\n
PIRO: He considered him to be a fanatic. And as such was very wary of him. He told me, \u201cYou can\u2019t really trust fanatics.\u201d<\/p>\n
PELLEY: Didn\u2019t think of Bin Laden as an ally in his effort against the United States in this war against the United States?<\/p>\n
PIRO: He didn\u2019t wanna be seen with Bin Laden. And didn\u2019t want to associate with Bin Laden.<\/p>\n
PELLEY: Did he think bin Laden was a threat to him and his regime?<\/p>\n
PIRO: Yes.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/thinkprogress.org\/2008\/01\/28\/fbi-agent-saddam-viewed-bin-laden-as-a-threat\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Think Progress \u00bb FBI agent: Saddam viewed bin Laden as a threat. Last night, CBS\u2019 60 Minutes aired an interview with FBI agent George Piro, the man who was charged with interrogating Saddam Hussein over the course of seven months. Piro reported that he asked Saddam whether he had any relationship to Osama bin Laden. … Continue reading Saddam viewed bin Laden \u201cas a threat to him and his regime.\u201d<\/span>