There is no definate link between al-Qaeda and the former Iraqi government. Osama Bin-Laden has been noted to have called Saddam Hussei a "bad muslim." Clearly the time between Osama's reign on al-Qaeda and Saddam's reign on Iraq fits the time frame. So why on earth would Saddam, having been called a "bad muslim," ever help out the BinLaden led al-Qaed. The only reason I can come up with is basically for a greated hate of America and I'm not quite sure on that one.
Evidence/Source:
http://slate.msn.com/id/2060074/