I would like to make a distinction which is one that the major mejah sources are not - nor you. Cheney said that there existed links to Al Quaida, not 9/11 directly. In this context, the statements are consistent with what Bush et al are saying. Bush went on to say that he believes that there is no question about Hussein's links to terrorist groups including Al Quaida and Hamas.
There's no question in my mind that Hussein supported some Al Quaida members and other terrorist groups (including his own government). I guess that makes me an idiot.