Really? Are we reading the same article? Here are some direct quotations. * The "Iraqgate" scandal revealed that an Atlanta branch of Italy's largest bank, Ban

Really? Are we reading the same article? Here are some direct quotations. * The "Iraqgate" scandal revealed that an Atlanta branch of Italy's largest bank, Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, relying heavily on U.S. government-guaranteed loans, funneled over US $5 billion to Iraq from 1985 to 1989. * Saddam's elite troops received instruction in unconventional warfare at Fort Bragg * The United States assisted Iraq through a military aid program known as "Bear Spares", whereby the U.S. military "made sure that spare parts and ammunition for Soviet or Soviet-style weaponry were available to countries which sought to reduce their dependence on the Soviets for defense needs."