Bin Laden 'On The Run,' US Official Says(Ambassador J. Cofer Black, counter-terrorism office)

VOA ^ | Feb 28 2004 | Michael Kitchen

[Dog]

Bin Laden 'On The Run,' US Official Says Michael Kitchen Islamabad 28 Feb 2004, 15:13 UTC

A top U.S. anti-terrorism official says al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is on the run,<./b> amid what officials say is an intensifying hunt for fugitive members of the terror network. The U.S. official says he believes Osama bin Laden will be captured soon. Ambassador J. Cofer Black, coordinator for the State Department counter-terrorism office, say the United States and its allies will find Osama bin Laden.

"I feel confident that it will be sooner rather than later, although I'm not going to speculate on the exact date," he said.

In an interview with VOA, Ambassador Black said the United States knows Osama bin Laden is still in touch with other al-Qaida leaders, though on a limited basis.

"[The contacts are] infrequent, imperfect, but he still has contact. He has some limited form of contact," he said.

The U.S. government has blamed Osama bin Laden and his organization for the terror attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001.

Ambassador Black says that, although Osama bin Laden still evidently takes a role in planning al-Qaida operations, the majority of his focus is now spent avoiding capture.

"He's on the run. He's hiding. He spends most of his time trying to keep from getting caught," he said.

Mr. Black was in Islamabad Saturday, meeting with Pakistani counterparts to discuss anti-terrorism issues.

Pakistan launched a military operation Tuesday aimed at flushing out suspected foreign terrorists in the semi-autonomous South Waziristan agency.

On Saturday, the Pakistan military says one of its checkpoints in the South Waziristan capital of Wana engaged in an early morning shootout with an unknown vehicle.

Eleven people were reportedly killed in the incident, including civilian bystanders.

Military officials report 16 arrests following the incident, and say an investigation is under way.

The military says the firefight coincided with a mortar attack on their forces in Wana.

South Waziristan is located along the Afghan-Pakistani border, where Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding.

[Dog]

Cofer Black is as good as it gets source wise..

[Dog]

I though this was important enough to place in Breaking News....when this man speaks people listen.

[demlosers]

Flushing scum out of a hole.

[LRS]

GOOD! Run him into the ground!!!!!

[Dog]

Who does this sound like...?

The military says the firefight coincided with a mortar attack on their forces in Wana.

[MinuteGal]

Something is in the air....and it ain't Wizard Wick.

Leni

[FreeReign]

Cofer Black is as good as it gets source wise..

Good post.

[CurlyBill]

I agree. Many of these ongoing reports are bogus. Cofer Black adds legitimacy to the report. I don't believe that we have caught him as some have suggested, but I do believe we are close. I have a chilled six-pack of Harp Lager for the day he is caught!

[Always Right]

Oh come on, every person with a brain knows Osama has been captured for a while and Bush won't announce it until late October....just don't tell the Democrats, 'they' get upset with the GOP's constant use of October surprises....

[truth_seeker]

I hope we catch him alive, and get good fiilm of the dentist checking his teeth. Say "aghhh."

Such (propoganda?) visuals incite the musli mobs with arab "humiliation."

[Dog]

Agreed......something is in the air.

[Southack]

Sounds like we have teams on the scent.

Life is good.

...for us.

[southernnorthcarolina]

You don't brag on something unless you're pretty sure of the outcome. Nothing could be more stupid, politically or strategically.

Given the source, I have to believe that OBL's capture or killing is now a certainty, and in the very near future.

[Bob Eimiller]

Hmmm Kerry and his Band of Democrats must be deeply concerned. Maddy "Mad Dog" Albright (yikes what a description of the former Secy of State in the "feminized" Clinton administration)...will obviously repeat her original "joke" that "W" had him already and is keeping him on ice waiting to role him out just before the election.

[Dog]

According the Black ...Bin Laden is still trying to communicate to other AQ leaders.....that is very interesting....have we picked up a SAT-Phone conversation......or is he talking thru email?

[byteback]

hmmm... when's the Democratic Convention?

[jriemer]

I hope we catch him alive, and get good fiilm of the dentist checking his teeth. Say "aghhh."

Such (propoganda?) visuals incite the musli mobs with arab "humiliation."

FR Count-down until we see pictures like this with Osama

[Wally_Kalbacken]

South Waziristan? is that just east of North Shitizstan?

[Bob Eimiller]

The convention will happen when Hillary decides.

[P.O.E.]

Psycho Chicken,
On the run

Bawk bawk bawk BAWK bawk bawk bawk bawk BAWK bawk

Better
Run, run, run, run
Run, run, run away.