US gambles in Iraq: 9/11 commission chief says

US 9/11 Commission Chairman Thomas Kean on Sunday described American President George W. Bush's policy in Iraq as "a gamble" in the Middle East country.

"It's a gamble in Iraq. If Iraq works out the way the Bush administration and others hope it will, it could transform the Middle East. If it doesn't, it could be a source of continuing problems and irritation and a home for future terrorists," Kean said in an interview with NBC.

Kean also expressed his concern over the situation in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

"Those are the three most volatile countries that if they were to go the wrong way could create another haven for terrorists and some real problems for the United States of America," he said.

Also in the interview, Lee Hamilton, vice chairman of the commission, reiterated that Iran has no connection with the 9/11 terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001.

"The conclusion that we draw is that al Qaeda executed 9/11. Wedo not think Iran or Iraq had concrete, collaborative, cooperativerelations in the execution of 9/11," he said.

However, Hamilton noted that Iran has contact with al Qaeda, saying, "We think Iran facilitated the transit of some of these hijackers into Afghanistan and out."

"They didn't stamp the passports in a way that might raise somesuspicions. So there are contacts," Hamilton said.

The Sept. 11 commission, in its final report released on Thursday, said there was no evidence suggesting any Iranian role in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Source: Xinhua