I am writing concerning the Sun Journal editorial of June 17.

The conclusion in the staff report of the Sept. 11 commission stated that there is no credible evidence that Saddam Hussein participated with al-Qaida in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Both President Bush and Vice President Cheney have said this exactly and repeatedly.

Your insinuation that both of these men are saying that there was a connection in this terrible act is incorrect. Neither President Bush nor Vice President Cheney ever made a statement to this effect.

Further, President Bush and Vice President Cheney have repeatedly said that there were contacts made between Iraq and al-Qaida and this is true and proven. Former Democrat Congressman Lee Hamilton and former Navy Secretary Lehman, as well former Illinois Gov. Thompson, all members of the Sept. 11 commission, have stated that nothing Bush and Cheney are saying is inconsistent with the findings of the commission.

We expect distortions like this in an election year.

Peter Clifford, Lewiston