[syriacus]

The article is from July 21, 2001and states

Meanwhile America has started to pressure the Taliban movement so that it would hand them Bin Ladin

That's proof that Bush's administration was after Bin Ladin.

[Lucky2]

I have a very close friend who's nephew was in Afganistan in July 2001 as a Special Forces officer. He's said they were there looking for the Taliban and bin laden. Another bit of proof that our government under Bush was trying to make up for lost time after the clintoons.

[Fitzcarraldo]

At some point, the Taliban made Bin Laden their defense minister...

http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/2001/08/01/11487.html

14:40 2001-08-01

OSAMA BIN LADEN TO LEAD TALIBAN MILITARY OPERATIONS

Citing high-ranking Afghan sources, the Pakistani newspaper, Nation, has reported that the Taliban have appointed two international terrorists, Osama bin Laden and Juma Namangani, to lead military operations against the Northern Alliance.

According to the paper's information, the Taliban leadership has de facto appointed terrorist no.1, bin Laden, as defence minister. He is currently organising offensives from his secret hide-out. Another terrorist, the Uzbek Juma Namangani, has become bin Laden's assistant, carrying out his orders on the northern front.

In the paper's opinion, the new appointments will increase the role of Arab, Pakistani and other foreign mercenaries fighting for the Taliban and could lead to new groups of religious fanatics entering Afghanistan. According to Nation's information, up to 60,000 foreign mercenaries are now fighting for the Taliban.

[Peach]

Powell testified to the 911 Commission that the less than two month old Bush administration closed the Taliban New York City Office in February 2001.

In April they told the Taliban they would be held personally responsible for any attacks in our country.

Then they started seizing their assets.

You know - little stuff the Clinton's didn't do for 8 years.

[rock58seg]

Considering the Chinese plane incident (4/2001) was still fresh, I would say they were on top of things!