08/22/2004
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"It's important for the American people to understand it is al Qaeda that is doing a lot of these spectacular bombings."
"Al Qaeda fully understands that if we retreat they, then, are able to have another safe haven."
"Our intelligence community concludes that 'Al Qaeda and its regional node in Iraq are united in their overarching strategy.'"
"Al Qaeda in Iraq is an organization founded by foreign terrorists, led largely by foreign terrorists, and loyal to Osama bin Laden."