Assignment:
"I am tasked with having to provide you with an example where"-- (within the period mid 2002 to the March 2003 actual invasion)-- "the US Administration made the categoric statement that Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with those attacks" (of 11 Sept 2001).

Understanding of Assignment Approved by Ron:
"You have perceived the assignment correctly."

Reasoning: For the terms of the assignment to be met the following five conditions have to be satisfied:
1. Statement to the effect that Saddam Hussein/Iraq had nothing to do with the attacks of the 11th September, 2001, must be made by a serving member, or members, of the US Administration.
2. Statement must be made at some point between mid 2002 and March 2003.
3. Statement had to heard by members of the US public.
4. Statement should have been able to be heard and understood.
5. For those members of the US public not watching, or listening, to the broadcast, the statement would have had to have been reported by the US media channels.

Transcript: From the September 8, 2002 Meet the Press: RUSSERT: "One year ago when you were on Meet the Press just five days after September 11, I asked you a specific question about Iraq and Saddam Hussein. Let's watch:

Example 1
"RUSSERT on the September 16, 2001 Meet the Press: "Do we have any evidence linking Saddam Hussein or Iraqis to this operation?"
CHENEY (Vice-President of the United States of America): "No."

Example 2
RUSSERT 8th September,2002 show: "Has anything changed, in your mind?"
CHENEY: "Well, I want to be very careful about how I say this. I'm not here today to make a specific allegation that Iraq was somehow responsible for 9/11. I can't say that.

Examination of Example 1, against governing criteria:
1. Satisfies, statement made by serving Vice-President.
2. Satisfies, this interview from 16th September, 2001 was "aired", and therefore heard by the US public on 8th September, 2002.
3. Satisfies, this was a broadcast by a major TV Network on what could be considered a popular current affairs programme.
4. Satisfies, clear and direct question, clear and emphatic reply.
5. Satisfies, widely reported and discussed.

Examination of Example 2, against governing criteria:
1. Satisfies, statement made by serving Vice-President.
2. Satisfies, this interview was "aired" and heard by the US public on 8th September, 2002.
3. Satisfies, this was a broadcast by a major TV Network on what could be considered a popular current affairs programme.
4. Satisfies, clear and direct question, clear answer.
5. Satisfies, widely reported and discussed.

Any problem understanding any of that Ron?