so NO it was NOT actually or tacitly seen as the reason for the war - it was constantly denied by both US and UK governments.
Sorry, but whilst the politicians may have publically denied it it was up there at the top of the list in the meetings I was invovled in late 02. Like it or not (and I didn't particularly), that was the reason. It just became politically expedient to suggest that was the reason once the WMD hunt had been revealed for the debacle it was.