Teribus.. the statements from Blair and Bush Jan 31 2003, pose more questions than they answer.

Both had been implying for months that there was in fact some tenuous connection..The damage to rational analysis of the situation had already been done.

When it became clear that they could continue the illusion no further they were forced to confirm that there was no link.
The decicion to go to war had been taken almost a year perviously so it did no harm to their cause to tell the truth in 2003.

However many asked themselves at the time....." If Saddam had no link to 9/11 why are we about to launch a pre-emptive illegal and very costly war against him....Ake