Bush outlines al-Qaida-Iraq alliance

CHARLESTON, S.C., July 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush strongly asserted Tuesday that the warring body of al-Qaida in Iraq is indeed part of the overall al-Qaida terror network.

Speaking to troops at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina, Bush said war critics claim al-Qaida in Iraq is "independent of Osama bin Laden and that it's not interested in attacking America. That would be news to Osama bin Laden."

Bush had several points to back his contention, including the non-Iraqi element among the al-Qaida in Iraq ranks from the Jordanian founder, his close ties with bin Laden, who "instructed terrorists in Iraq to listen to him and obey him," on to the murderous activities of mostly foreign suicide bombers.

"The merger between al Qaida and its Iraqi affiliate is an alliance of killers," he said.