Powell warns of Iraqi ties to terrorism

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Colin Powell told a Senate panel Tuesday that what appears to be a new statement from Osama bin Laden shows why the world needs to be concerned about Iraqi ties to terrorism.\nPowell said he read a transcript of "what bin Laden -- or who we believe to be bin Laden" will be saying on the Al-Jazeera Arab satellite station later Tuesday, "where once again he speaks to the people of Iraq and talks about their struggle and how he is in partnership with Iraq."\n"This nexus between terrorists and states that are developing weapons of mass destruction can no longer be looked away from and ignored," Powell told the Senate Budget Committee.\nIt was Powell's second appearance before the Senate since his presentation to the U.N. Security Council last week. At that time, he detailed his indictment of Iraq as a deceptive stockpiler of weapons of mass destruction.\nLawmakers have praised Powell's U.N. performance, but many Democrats remain skeptical about whether war is necessary, particularly if key U.S. allies remain opposed.\nThe split between the United States and its allies widened Monday when France, Germany and Belgium jointly vetoed a U.S.-backed measure to authorize NATO to make plans to protect Turkey if Iraq attacks it. Russia then joined France and Germany in demanding strengthened weapons inspections.\nPowell noted that while "much is being said about disagreement in NATO," 16 members -- including the United States and Turkey -- back the U.S. position, while three -- France, Germany and Russia -- oppose it.\n"I think this is time for the alliance to say to the fellow alliance member, 'We agree with you and if you are concerned, we are concerned.' That's what alliances are all about and I hope NATO will be doing the right thing with respect to Turkey within the next 24 hours," he said.\nPowell said the United States is prepared to work with the 14 other nations to give Turkey the help it needs if it cannot win formal NATO support.\nCommittee Chairman Don Nickles, R-Okla., said of France, "I'm amazed at their presumption that they are controlling the (NATO) alliance, but they are not a part of the military alliance"