Robert Fisk on Osama Bin Laden's latest political statement:
"So why only on audio? Why no video tape? Is he sick? Yes, say the usual American 'intelligence sources'. It's the same old story: Osama bin Laden talks to us from the mouth of a cave, from within a cave, from a basement perhaps, from a tape almost certainly recorded down a telephone line from far away. Yesterday's message, broadcast as ever by al-Jazeera television, was a reminder that security - not sickness - decides his method of communication.
"We invaded Afghanistan to find Bin Laden and we fight and die in Iraq to kill his supporters - yet still he eludes us, still he threatens us, still he taunts us.
"How much longer can this nonsense go on? President Jacques Chirac warns that France - of all countries - might use nuclear weapons, if attacked. On whom, I wonder? America blows Pakistani children to pieces and claims it has killed five wanted men, including a bomb-maker. But there's absolutely no evidence. Bin Laden says that America will be attacked again unless it accepts a truce in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Weren't we supposed to be winning the 'war on terror'? Oh no, the 'experts' tell us, Bin Laden and al-Qa'ida are losing, that's why they want a truce. Some hope."
Muslim scholars, meanwhile, offer interpretations of the latest message from the West's "enemy number one."
UPDATE: Conservative US commentators are increasingly isolated from reality and the American people. Soon after the airing of Bin Laden's tape, they compared the statements by the al-Qaeda leader to critics of the Bush administration. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said that terrorists "take a great deal of comfort when they see" politicians and other critics like Mike Moore "attacking United States policies." "Open debate" is important, he stressed, as long as one supports and the war and the President.
"So why only on audio? Why no video tape? Is he sick? Yes, say the usual American 'intelligence sources'. It's the same old story: Osama bin Laden talks to us from the mouth of a cave, from within a cave, from a basement perhaps, from a tape almost certainly recorded down a telephone line from far away. Yesterday's message, broadcast as ever by al-Jazeera television, was a reminder that security - not sickness - decides his method of communication.
"We invaded Afghanistan to find Bin Laden and we fight and die in Iraq to kill his supporters - yet still he eludes us, still he threatens us, still he taunts us.
"How much longer can this nonsense go on? President Jacques Chirac warns that France - of all countries - might use nuclear weapons, if attacked. On whom, I wonder? America blows Pakistani children to pieces and claims it has killed five wanted men, including a bomb-maker. But there's absolutely no evidence. Bin Laden says that America will be attacked again unless it accepts a truce in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Weren't we supposed to be winning the 'war on terror'? Oh no, the 'experts' tell us, Bin Laden and al-Qa'ida are losing, that's why they want a truce. Some hope."
Muslim scholars, meanwhile, offer interpretations of the latest message from the West's "enemy number one."
UPDATE: Conservative US commentators are increasingly isolated from reality and the American people. Soon after the airing of Bin Laden's tape, they compared the statements by the al-Qaeda leader to critics of the Bush administration. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said that terrorists "take a great deal of comfort when they see" politicians and other critics like Mike Moore "attacking United States policies." "Open debate" is important, he stressed, as long as one supports and the war and the President.
9 Comments:
That's my feeling. Who benefits from this latest missive? Republicans under the most intense pressure since Watergate, on several fronts. Why should we believe anything they toss at us, given their record in the last 5 years? The default position for anyone with half a brain is scepticism at the very least. Just because large numbers of Americans are prepared to believe whatever Rove and Cheney dream up, no need for us to do the same.
Given that Al Qaeda, which means data-base, was a group originally set up by the CIA and Osama Bin Laden was trained by the CIA in a bid to defeat the Russians in Afghanistan and the CIA was instrumental in constructing Bora Bora, the Afghan hideout and given that the 'war on terror' has played neatly into neo-con hands and given all sorts of anomalies involved with 9/11, one could almost come to believe that Osama and Al Qaeda are something the neo-cons needs.
Perhaps Osama is dead, perhaps the Al Qaeda everyone is told to fear is run, not by Muslim extremists, but by those who need a 'war on terror.'
There are too many unanswered questions to take at face value anything we are told.
Not finding Osama has been very, very convenient.
You could, of course, start your own site. A shocking concept, I know.
Actually, that's far too much trouble for you.
Fisk is the most highly decorated foreign correspondent in the world. But you're right, he's just a hack.
You're right Violet, Here even AL does the doubletalk with placing his words in Newt's mouth, hoping to stifle debate since it isn't bashing Bush.
"Former Speaker of the House Newt
Gingrich said that terrorists "take a great deal of comfort when they see" politicians and other critics like Mike Moore "attacking United States policies." "Open debate" is important, he stressed, as long as one supports and the war and the President."
What a joke! Isn't stating that the Moores of the world are aiding abetting and giving comfort to terrorists with their words a part of free speech and a part of the debate?
Tremendous connection. Violet hit the nail with the hammer. She doesn't need to try again. It was a perfect analogy.
Which is _01's problem.
Hey Violet, do it again. Kissing ass is fun!
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Eddie you know what you obviously are.
As for ross, he has already been caught in a couple of lies. He won't be putting anyone anywhare.
violet
www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/o,12780,1523838,00.html
The late British MP, former Secretary of State, Robin Cook is quoted in a story where he refers to Al Qaida, literally, the database, which was originally the computer file of the thousands of mujahadeens recruited and trained by the CIA to fight the Russians.
Not that this is news. It is and was common knowledge for anyone doing any research on the subject.
The data-base is the most literal translation of Al Qaida, despite its many spellings.
Robert Fisk is a highly respected journalist. Like many commentators he takes a position and leans toward what those on the right would call the left, but, he has decades of experience in the region and a broad knowledge base.
Bearing in mind his subjectivity, something all commentators display, he still brings a balanced and sound view of events in the region to his reports.
Let's just say he knows a hell of a lot more about it all than any of us.
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