Posted on 12/27/2003 12:23:19 AM PST by kattracks
Edited on 07/12/2004 4:11:18 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
One or more terror suspects may have escaped due to a premature disclosure in France of the security concerns behind the cancellation of Christmas flights to Los Angeles, U.S. officials said yesterday.
One official said "a chorus of groans" from the Department of Homeland Security to the White House went out when the French made clear at the time the cancellations had been ordered for security reasons.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Undoubtably with American names such as Mustafa, Salim, Yassir, and Mohammed.
Maybe it's time to go back into France.
The usual thing we talk about is oil contracts and illegal weapons sales to Saddam by French companies. However, everyone already knew about French ties to Iraq and these two things do not explain Chirac's absolute desperation to stop us from going into Iraq.
What explains Chirac's desperation and almost panic?
The only thing I could come up with that would explain it was that the French knew about 9/11 and purposely didn't alert us, or even worse, participated in the planning.
I don't like to think this, but you must admit Chirac's behavior was decidedly odd. The Russians didn't behave as badly, nor did the Germans. Something odd about France, I think.
French 'intelligence' may not want to help AQ, but some maroon let the story out, and tipped the hand of the potential hijackers. Maybe the US didn't explicitly ask the folks with whom they were dealing in France NOT to make it public, but anyone with any sense at all would understand that you don't let a suspect know you're on the trail! SOMEONE in France made the info public. It would be interesting to find out just WHO DID!
On the other hand, I think it was more a political and financial move of desperation. Since the formation of the EU, France has been jockeying for the co-leadership position with Germany. Europe has been anti-American for a very long time, except when they need someone to bail their sorry third rate asses out of a bind. I think France was simply trying to capitalize on anti-Americanism and lead the grandstanding...presenting the image that they are in charge.
At the same time, France and Germany's economy's were in a shambles before 9/11. This was hurting their jockeying within the EU. Following 9/11 I think France figured they had two choices in regards to their economy...take the limited flak from us and England by opposing us (while capitalizing on the political side) or run the risk of loosing their lucrative middle east contracts. NOW THAT IS WHERE/WHY I think they've been helping the fundamentalists since 9/11. If the fundamentalists win France will be repaid handsomely in the middle east.
They just forgot who they were dealing with...not Clinton and not some stupid cowboy.
You have made a very interesting point. I think you are spot on.
Putting the French in charge of counter terrorists activities is like putting Michael Jackson in charge of a home for children.
The French security forces are about as "elite" as a Mickey Mouse Fan Club.
Been there.
Have you?
While I am not privy to the details, I am pretty sure most of the "fifth column" are being watched.
Through these relatively overt people and their activities, connections to their secret counterparts can be found with surprising frequency, usually by following the flow of money they raise for their nefarious causes. Decades of operations in pursuing the War on Drugs have given federal law enforcement extensive experience in conducting such investigations and defeating money-laundering schemes of all kinds.
Thus, unwittingly, America's fifth column may actually be one of the most powerful counterterrorism tools we have.
The irony is so thick it can be cut with a knife.
In this case, I am forced to wonder whether or not the French are assisting us in using a fleeing terrorist strike team to track down their masters. Once the eyes of U.S. intelligence are upon someone, it is extremely difficult for them to disappear.
Time will tell, perhaps.
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