are we futzing around because of the "hard" in that statement?
Yes. You made a several assertions in your original post. I disagreed with one. You tried to show I was wrong in my disagreement. I don't think you succeeded. If that qualifies as 'futzing', so be it.
Are we toying around this point because you consider NK and Iraq to be identical situations?
No. See above.
Or are we denying any and all reports linking Iraqi officials to Al Q?
No. Just the one I assumed you were referring to. Do you know of any others?