[Sean Osborne Lomax]

Why I think the U.S. State Department spoke out of turn as far as protocol is concerned concerning the reported capture of Osama bin Laden:

I have been thinking about Osama being snatched and grabbed within the territory of the Islamic republic of Iran. It's connect-a-dot time.

I think there is a valid and logical reason for a State Department denial of the Osama capture reports.

First dot.

* I think State spoke up because they are in active negotiations with Iran over
this issue, either via a second party's "good offices" or directly with the Iranian diplomatic corps. The seizure of Osama bin Laden in Iran has the potential to make such contact an absolute necessity. The US State Department would have to become involved due to PROTOCOL if Osama were in fact captured on Iranian territory.

Next series of dots...

* With the immediate and multiple threats of an alQaeda nuclear attack and/or other WMD on US soil the ramifications for Iran would be horrendous to say the least. (ie: a retaliatory US ICBM strike or similar against Tehran for example would be in keeping with US nuclear or WMD use policy).

* Because alQaeda weapons have been intercepted by Coalition troops in Iraq having crossed the frontier from Iran. These weapons include highly sophisticated C4 and explosives combined with Chemical warheads.


Extension follows:

Q: What is it that State would be discussiong with the Iranians regarding Osama's capture?

All of the above. Osama captured in Iranian territory. Massive chemical weapons coming from Iranian territory, and the very real possibility of a nuclear strike or the destruction of an American city at the hands of alQaeda...all of this
with Iranian duplicity would tend to indicate that the State Department is TELLING the Iranians in unambiguous terms that they MUST comply and act to stop any alQaeda actions against the US homeland or the homelands of our allies, and US forces/Coalition/Allied forces in the southwest Asia area of operations, and in the world.

Failure to do so will result in the immediate retaliation against Iran by the strategic nuclear forces of the United States. We will hold Iran responsible for any further actions by alQaeda against the United States or its allies.

Period and exclamation point.

While these hypothesized "discussions" are ongoing, officially the US will be mum on the capture of Osama within Iranian territory. The Iranian's are being offered a political carrot with the threat of a nuclear stick should they fail
their obligations as a civilized nation.

Now, how much you wanna bet the next call the Iranian's make is to Vladimir Putin asking "Now what boss!? The American's have us caught between Iraq and a
hard place!!".
Hmmmmm.... I wonder...

[Calpernia]

Iran's Royal Presentation

Refresher for all that hasn't seen this yet.

US = USA
Star of David = Israel
Swastika = India (symbol of good luck in Hindu)

[JustPiper]

Makes sense put this way on their silence, the ramifications for Iran would be stupendous. Also could OBL be part 'of' these negotiations?