Saddam could embarrass the West: In 1983 the US knew Saddam had used Chemical Weapons. The Reagan administration chose to pursue better relations with him anyway. Rumsfeld travelled to Baghdad and met Saddam. Minutes of that meeting read: "Mr Rumsfeld was concerned about Iran and that this was the motive for the American approach... 'Rumsfeld told Saddam that the US and Iraq shared interests in preventing Iranian and Syrian expansion.'
... The report also sums up Saddam Hussein's reaction: 'Saddam Hussein showed obvious pleasure with the President's letter and Rumsfeld's visit.'
There is no mention of Mr Rumsfeld having raised the issue of chemical weapons with Saddam Hussein, though he said he did in an interview with CNN in 2002.
... Diplomatic relations between the US and Iraq were restored in 1984. "
- posted by geoff @ #