French Troops Help In Bin Laden Search

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 3-23-2004 | Michele Alliot-Marie

[blam]

French Troops Help in Bin Laden Search

Tuesday March 23, 2004 1:31 AM

PARIS (AP) - French troops in Afghanistan helped locate a hideout that was likely used by terror leader Osama bin Laden, France's defense minister said in an interview published Tuesday.

Michele Alliot-Marie did not give the location of the hideout or say when the fugitive al-Qaida chief was believed to have used it.

``Our men are well-established and know the terrain well,'' Alliot-Marie was quoted as telling L'Express news magazine. ``Thanks to certain information, they in fact recently helped contribute to locating him.''

Asked whether she was sure it was bin Laden and not someone else, the defense minister said, ``Everything leads us to believe so.''

``But you understand, it's difficult to say more for reasons of confidentiality and security,'' Alliot-Marie said in the report published on L'Express' Web site. The Defense Ministry's press office did not respond to phone calls seeking further details before office hours Tuesday.

Some 200 French troops have been working with American forces in Afghanistan in the drive to track holdouts of the Taliban and bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist group.

Last week, the head of France's armed forces, Gen. Henri Bentegeat, said bin Laden may have narrowly escaped capture by French troops in Afghanistan, perhaps several times.

Bentegeat did not specify when or where the escapes took place, and a Defense Ministry spokeswoman declined to give details

[AM2000]

At least they're publicly helping. That's something, I guess.

[OldFriend]

Trouble is, they are probably helping OBL remain hidden.

[Lawdoc]

Welp, if there is anyone qualified in finding a means of retreat it would be the French.

[CindyDawg]

Probably afaid of what he'll tell us and want to get there first.

[johniegrad]

Thank God they're there because "going to war without the French is like going deer hunting without your accordian."

[jaugust]

Yes and they probably have their white flags at the ready when they find him...

[longjack]

What are they helping Binny search for?

longjack

[KriegerGeist]

"French Troops Help In Bin Laden Search to find suitable hideout from those imperialist nazi Americans"

"Trouble is, they are probably helping OBL remain hidden."

There, I fixed the title for you. Is that more like it? The Frogs want to appease the terrorists, so helping them (Osama) in any way they can they believe will perhaps reduce their chances of being attacked as their Spanish neighbors were.

[keithtoo]

[Arkinsaw]

At least they're publicly helping. That's something, I guess.

They are untrustworthy, why would we do this?

[hummingbird]

They are untrustworthy, why would we do this?

To keep an eye on them?

[theDentist]

This might make it easier. All we need do is look for a hundred or so in uniform with hands up in the air, surrendering to a pig-humper.

[sarasmom]

Yeah right.
Must be under UN auspices.
NATO only allows minimal,strictly controlled French presence around vital missions and operations.
I hope our special forces guys are documenting the latest French anti-USA actions, just to prove the need to....take care of the French properly, later.

[dvan]

"Thanks to certain information, they in fact recently helped contribute to locating him.''

Does that me that they actually found him?

[Kirkwood]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. If they somehow actually find bin Laden, it is for the good. However, it won't change change who or what they've been.

[U S Army EOD]

Did they say bin Laden was almost captured by the French troops or that the French troops were almost captured by bin Laden. I don't have my glasses, will someone type the answer in capitals for me please.

[sarasmom]

"Last week, the head of France's armed forces, Gen. Henri Bentegeat, said bin Laden may have narrowly escaped capture by French troops in Afghanistan, perhaps several times."

Duh!
As if!
If the French have anything to do with it,which they dont, no terrorist would ever actually be captured or killed, anywhere.
Think of them as Saudi Wahhibists with funny accents and scrawny beards.

[redrock]

Of COURSE the French are helping to look for Bin Laden.

The French can't SURRENDER until they find him.

redrock

[blam]

" will someone type the answer in capitals for me please."

BIN LADEN GOT AWAY AGAIN