New Iraq document linking Saddam - al Qaeda surfaces in Kurdish media

I am unable to authenticate this document though if I had to bet, I would go with real. It has been published in a Kurd paper. H/T Christopher Holton.

I have no problem with the content. Our work centered around documents that have now been verified by a Pentagon study that links the Iraqi Intelligence Service to the Egyptian Islamic Jihad in 1993 and even earlier. The IIS wrote of meeting with a high level EIJ leader and I always assumed it was likely Zawahiri since another captured letter from an al Qaeda leader claims Zawahiri went to Iraq (and from the context would seem he was not unwelcome). Sammi has provided a translation:

Republic of Iraq Number Sh S / 5083

Office of the Presidency Date 1433 (Muslim calendar)

Intelligence Service 12/12/2002

SECRET

Announcement

Mr. M. M*. Sh. Kh. The respected

To M5, M6, M7

We would like to inform you that the day of 14/12/2002 (Note:14 December 2002)has been designated by the respected secretary to establish the important and top secret meeting with our source number “1000” Ayman Al Zawahiri with the purpose of approving the review of the plan that was established by the respected body of the presidency regarding operation “Revenge” inside the lands of the “Traitor of the Two Holy Mosques”** with our source “Azhar Al Shaykhali” for the purpose of informing him on all the details of the plan as set by the Secretariate of the National Security Council.

Respects

12/12/2002

*(translator’s note:M. M. stands for Mudeer Mukhabarat:. Director of Intelligence)

**(translator’s note: The title of the Saudi king is “the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” , the first one is in Mecca and the second in Medina, the two holy cities of Islam. In Arabic “Custodian” is written as “Khadim”(4 letters) while “Traitor” is written as “Kha’in”(also 4 letters, the two words having only the first two letters in common). “Kha’in” was used in the document for a purpose. The aim is to portray the King as one who betrayed his duties by being allied with the Americans, therefore making him and his country as a legitimate target in the eyes of Muslim fundamentalists.

*** There are small hand written notes below the main letter which are not clear.

For comparison purposes here is a page on Saddam Regime document logos from Global Security. My problem with this is that I would be a lot happier if it came from a US government source. It looks right, but this wouldn't be difficult to fake. My general take is that you either get it or you don't. You either know Saddam was a terrorist supporting any jihadi who would do his bidding or you are clueless. 

Comments

[Ryan]

If you can't authenticate this document, how do we know it's reliable?

[Mark Eichenlaub]

Good find Ray. Hope you are doing well.