The American Army is exaggerating the role of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Al-Qaeda chief in Iraq, possibly to help tie the war to the network blamed for the September 11, 2001 attacks, The Washington Post reported. Citing military documents and unnamed officers, the paper said Zarqawi's profile had been raised in a way that some military intelligence officials believe may have overstated his importance.
The documents claim that the American propaganda campaign aims at turning Iraqis against the Jordan-born militant by playing on their perceived dislike of foreigners, the report said. US officials claim some success in that direction, noting that some tribal elements have attacked Zarqawi loyalists, The Post added.
