U.S. set eyes on Iraq early, inquiry hears

LONDON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Washington asked London about a link between Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks three days after the U.S. attacks, an inquiry heard.

British lawmakers last week began a formal inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the British involvement in the war.

David Manning, who served as the British envoy to Washington from 2003 to 2007, told the inquiry Monday that U.S. President George W. Bush discussed a possible connection to Iraq and the al-Qaida attack on the United States shortly after the attacks, London's Telegraph newspaper reports.

"As far as I'm aware the first time the president mentioned Iraq to the prime minister was on Sept. 14 in a telephone call and he said he thought there might be evidence that there was some connection between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida," he said.

Manning, who in a controversial memo said London had decided to join the U.S. invasion by January 2003, said British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed initial reluctance on the assault on Baghdad.

"The prime minister's response was that the evidence would have to be very compelling indeed to justify taking any action against Iraq," he said.

Previous witnesses told the inquiry that London was keen on pursuing a policy of tough sanctions on Iraq to pressure Saddam to fall into line with the international community.

Blair is expected to face questioning in early 2010.