The Pentagon has claimed they have at last found a credible link between Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein.

In a triumphant statement to the media Pentagon spokesperson, Gary Richtbecker, announced yesterday that the CIA had finally uncovered photos that clearly display the two men interacting as teenagers at a dance competition.

"It appears that both Saddam and Osama were enrolled in modern dance classes as youths. They also appear to have been quite enthusiastic and talented dancers," Richtbecker told journalists.

As proof of this sensational claim, the Pentagon released one of the photos. A teenage Osama, dressed in purple leotards, smiles at the camera and holds up a small trophy. Saddam, similarly attired (though his costume is green and yellow lycra) stands beside him frowning slightly. Both wear the flags of their respective countries on their chests, Osama being Saudi Arabian and Saddam, Iraqi.

"We understand that as youths these men represented their countries in the under eighteen individual interpretative dance component in the 1970 Pan- Arabic Dance tournament," Richtbecker said. "While they were on opposite teams, these photos clearly show that they had contact with each other. This is an extremely significant discovery. And I believe it justifies our President's decision to go to war in Iraq."

In a further development, one of Saddam's team mates during the dance tournament, Feyed Allowa, has been tracked down in his current residence in London. While reticent to be interviewed he did state, "They were there. We all were. We were young and idealistic and thought we could change the world through dance. I guess they grew disillusioned and turned to other things later on. It's very sad."

US intelligence, however, suggests that Osama Bin Laden at least never fully gave up his dancing dreams. Prisoners at Guantanomo Bay, under interrogation, have revealed that modern dance was one of classes offered in Terrorist Training schools in Afghanistan.

Colonel Peter Sharp, of the US Marines, who heard these claims first hand in Cuba even suggests that such classes may still be going on deep in mountain caves. "I can see them now, lycra clad, spinning and wheeling. It won't stop until we get every one of them. That's why we have to keep on the pressure, continue the offensive against these sickos. That's the only way to stop the dancing."